Then they departed from there and passed through Galilee, and He did not want anyone to know it. For He taught His disciples and said to them, "The Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of men, and they will kill Him. And after He is killed, He will rise the third day."
But they did not understand this saying, and were afraid to ask Him.
Mark 9:30-32
Mark 9:30-32
This passage marks a real shift that is taking place in Jesus' life; He is leaving the northern territory where He has been safe, and is heading towards Jerusalem, where He will face tremendous opposition -- and ultimately the cross. Notice, though, that He doesn't want the crowds around. He knew quite clearly that He needed to write His message on the hearts of His chosen disciples.
The disciples needed to be prepared for what was to come. At times, Jesus limited his public ministry in order to train His disciples in depth, because He knew the importance of equipping them to carry on when He returned to heaven.
Today, God is trying to get your attention, but are there "crowds" in your life that are hindering your ability to listen to Him? Maybe these crowds are people, but maybe they are material possessions, or worries, anxieties, or fears that you're holding on to.
God wants you to take a season out of your life to get away from the crowds and listen to Him.
This, of course, doesn't mean to stop fellowshipping with other believers or to stop attending church. No, this is about all of those crowds in your life that are hindering your relationship with Him. This is about your lack of "giddy-up" to be with His people.
And just as Jesus Himself was being prepared in His last years of ministry, and just as He was investing His time and energy into His disciples, He also wants to prepare you!
Just because your life is busy doesn't necessarily mean that you're doing great things for God. As we continue to get closer and closer to Jesus' return, don't allow the crowds to crowd your relationship with Him.
Be in the Word, listen to Him, and talk with Him. Soak up and learn all you can, and keep moving forward in the Spirit.
Deep spiritual growth isn't instantaneous, regardless of the quality of experience or teaching. Even the disciples needed to lay aside time to be alone with Jesus Christ, so how much more do you and I need to lay aside time to be with Jesus Christ and let Him minister to us? Let His Spirit just start talking to us and then filling us with His presence. Prepare yourself for something amazing!
