Solitude (Mark 1:35-45)

A sermon preached on February 7, 2010 at Hebron Baptist Church, Denham Springs, Louisiana by Pastor Joe Alain.

Scripture Reading: Mark 1:35-45
Clint Eastwood epitomizes our idea of the solitary man. In the “Dollars” movie trilogy of the 60's, he was the iconic “Man with No Name.” As that character, he is portrayed as silent, distant, a loner. Jesus was a solitary man, but he was not a loner, he was not distant, he was not silent. Jesus was altogether different.

We often think of solitude in the sense of being lonely, but it is not the same. Paul Tillich notes, “Our language has wisely sensed the two sides of man’s being alone. It has created the word ‘loneliness’ to express the pain of being alone. And it has created the word ‘solitude’ to express the glory of being alone.”

There is a glory to solitude. This glory is seen in the life of Jesus. Following is a description of solitude that captures the meaning and glory of the practice of solitude. “Solitude is the state of being alone without being lonely. Solitude suggests peacefulness stemming from a state of inner richness. It is a means of enjoying the quiet and whatever it brings that is satisfying and from which we draw sustenance. It is something we cultivate. Solitude is refreshing; an opportunity to renew ourselves. In other words, it replenishes us.” (Hara Estroff Marano)

We need what solitude brings – replenishing, a fresh touch from God – and we learn to cultivate solitude from following Jesus’ practice.

Solitude and Prayer (v.35)
Prior to this time of prayer, Jesus faced a very busy day (1:32-34). With the words, “all” and “whole town” you get the picture that Jesus was overwhelmed with needy people. As a result of a busy day of ministering, Jesus needed replenishing, fellowship with the Father. There are two things about this experience of prayer:
(1) It took place “Early in morning” (2) Jesus went to “A solitary place.” The biblical word (eremos) often translates as “desert,” or “wilderness.” The ESV, “desolate;” the NLT, “isolated;” and the
Msg., “secluded spot.”

Because of prayer, Jesus was always in the Father’s will (See Jn. 5:17, 19; 8:28-29). Of course, if Jesus prayed, how much more should I!

Several principles come out of this prayer experience that reveal the secret of effective prayer: (1) For prayer to be effective, you must pray! (Matt. 7:7-11; Jas. 4:2; 1 Th. 5:17).
(2) For prayer to be effective, you must make time to pray and have a place of prayer.

Solitude and Our Search for Spiritual Significance (v.37)
Jesus could not stay hidden for long (vv.36-37). Verse 36 reveals the statement of the ages, “Everyone is looking for you!” The truth is, everyone is looking for Jesus. Everyone is on a spiritual quest for meaning in life. We were created with eternity in our hearts.

Jesus was different, in large part because of the way he lived his solitary life. His life fully revealed the glory and grace of God which powerfully attracted people. “Solitary” is related to “solitaire,” “a diamond or other gem set by itself in a ring.” A solitaire needs nothing else. It is brilliant and precious by itself. The glory of God was fully revealed in and through Jesus (Jn. 1:14, 16-18; Heb. 1:3). Our search for spiritual significance is complete in Him! And the good news to those searching is that Jesus may indeed be found!

Solitude in Society (v.38)
Jesus modeled the perfect balance between solitude and society. Eight miles off coast of Ireland is a steep-cliffed island, a rocky sea-crag called Skellig Michael. At the top of this jagged isle are the ruins of an ancient Celtic monastery. Christian monasticism has its roots in the belief that union with God is best obtained by withdrawal from civilization into harsh and desolate regions.

For Jesus, true solitude led one to be a true participant in society. The brilliance of the solitaire cannot be hidden. From solitude came the inner flow to (1) “preach” (v.38, kerusso, herald the good news). (2) From solitude came the inner flow to drive out evil (v.39). (3) And from solitude came the inner flow to touch and heal humanity (vv.40-42). When you and I spend time with our Father, we too will find that inner richness that is a source of mission motivation.

Jesus was willing to bring healing to the man, our we? Jesus was filled with compassion for the hurting, our we? Solitude is not isolation but immersion, touching people at their point of need. Touching our world needs to become intentional because of the fact that we live in an increasingly “touchless” society.

As I mentioned earlier, Jesus modeled the perfect balance between a life of solitude and a life of service. As one writer has mentioned, “If we look at Jesus’ life as depicted in the Gospels, we see that it echoes the flowing in and receding back of the ocean’s tides. Jesus would repeatedly flow out into society to teach, spread the Gospel, and share fellowship with his neighbors, only to recede back into lonely places to pray.”

Great writers and thinkers have written on the importance of solitude as it relates to our ability to problem-solve, to be creative, to be passionate. John Milton said, “Solitude sometimes is best society. And short retirement urges [compels] sweet return.” Think of Milton’s words as it relates to being a kingdom citizen. The best kind of kingdom citizen is the believer who practices the discipline of solitude, for from solitude flows a life of worship, service.

Likewise, Ralph Waldo Emerson stated, “Solitude is naught and society is naught. Alternate them [flow in and out] and the good of each is seen.”

As I close, there is a message both to the seeker and to the believer.
To the Seeker: (1) First, Jesus may be found (v.36), and (2) Jesus will meet you at your point of need (v.41). To the Christian: Cultivate the discipline of solitude (vv.35, 45) so that your life may diffuse the fragrance of Christ in society (2 Cor. 2:14).

For His Glory!
Pastor Joe