by Ed Cyzewski
Editor’s Note: This morning author and high calling blogger Ed Cyzewski brings us a Lenten meditation on Mark 1: 12-20. This is a continuation of last week’s meditation on Mark 1:1-8.
At the start of his ministry, Jesus took two very significant steps that may have been hard for his audience to understand. First, he traveled into the wilderness by himself, and second, he chose a group of simple fishermen to be his disciples. Who would have expected the Messiah, who was supposed to restore God’s rule over Israel, to take such a course of action?
He had the power of God at his disposal, so why didn’t he confront the Romans or the corruption in the temple? In addition, why didn’t he choose more learned men to be his disciples?
Wilderness Wanderings
Jesus seemed to be making two strong statements by setting off into the wilderness. For starters, he rooted his ministry solely in the power and authority that comes from God, not in the authority of any religious leaders. God alone gave him the strength to resist temptation in the wilderness. Such would continue to be the case in the rest of his ministry.
Jesus also continued to identify with the people of Israel through his own wilderness wanderings. By returning from the wilderness Jesus acted out the narrative of the end of exile and the return of God to his people. For those steeped in the Old Testament, the symbolism of Jesus’ actions must have shouted loud and clear that something significant was about to happen.
An Unlikely Group
With so much anticipation building, Jesus started his ministry by selecting a few simple fishermen as his disciples so they could learn from him and reach out to others. Right from the start the ministry of Jesus did not revolve around Jesus alone, but around his disciples who would learn from him and continue to reach out.
Throughout his ministry Jesus turned a lot of his work over to the disciples such as baptizing, preaching, and healing. Jesus ministered in the power of God, but also shared that ministry with his newly chosen disciples.
God is not only able to sustain his people in the wilderness, but he uses even the most unlikely people to bring his Kingdom to earth.
As we consider the challenges before us this year and struggle with our limited experience and resources, let’s take time during this season of Lent to go into the wilderness, to seek the strength of God, and to trust that he is able to sustain us and to use us for his work.
Image by E L K of Red or Gray, used with permission.
Post by Ed Cyzewski. Check out Ed’s book at www.edcyz.com: Coffeehouse Theology: Reflecting on God in Everyday Life
{ 1 trackback }
{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
Excellent words!
I find the recognition of my limitedness and unlikeliness an important starting place!
A thought: I notice that sometimes when a person feels unworthy because of a keen awareness of limitations and unlikeliness, others try to counter these thoughts by saying how it isn’t true and then pumping them with praise. And I’m all FOR encouraging people, BUT I want to be careful not to let my eagerness to RESCUE someone keep the person from an important spiritual truth, that it is not about our qualifications, that God calls the unlikely….and empowers and equips…and can be trusted to do that.
There is a lot of wisdom in that thought Marilyn. I may have to read that every day just to remind myself…
Thank you, Ed. I am (clearly) enjoying your devotionals on this section!
Thanks for continuing to have us ponder Lent. This is how our family talked about it on Ash Wednesday, though not with such eloquence. I like how you phrased this: “As we…struggle with our limited experience and resources, let’s take time during this season of Lent to go into the wilderness, to seek the strength of God, and to trust that he is able to sustain us and to use us for his work.”
I’m particularly drawn to the point that we are seeking the strength and sustenance of God to prepare us for whatever work He has for us to do.
Yes, God uses the most unlikely people. I, of course, had no idea about that when my life began to unravel.
I am a woman that came from a good Catholic family.
At age 21, I met a man I believed loved me.
Around age 22, I was being beaten on a regular basis.
By age 25, I robbed 9 banks by myself, by gunpoint.
I served years in prison. I was saved in prison.
I wrote a book about all of the above and recently signed with one of the very best literary agents in the industry.
Today, I serve the Lord with all my heart and soul. I visit women in jail, I mentor new Christian women, serve at a Christian rehab, and support the safe house in town for domestic violence victims and children to flee to.
My life is full. He uses me to reach the lost and there is simply no greater honor.
I am the unlikely. My cell was an unlikely place to learn how to be His servent.
And I would not change one day of my life.
Dana
I’m entering the wilderness myself right now and your words hit home.
David, Red Letter Believers, “Salt and Light”
http://www.redletterbelievers.com
Anne, Thank you! I’m glad to hear your family is having this kind of discussion. And remembering that Lent is a freeing ourselves from one thing so we can focus on another makes it easier to deny ourselves.
Dana, I think I ran across a comment of yours on Michael Hyatt’s blog. Are you represented by Word Serve? I’m with them now, working with Caleb. Having gone into prisons with my in-law’s prison ministry, it’s always encouraging to hear about the freedom of God that some find while behind bars. Thanks for sharing your story here. Keep me posted on your book!
David, I pray that God will bless you and sustain you at this time.
Ed, thank you for the encouragement. I am working with Rachelle at Word Serve. Yes, I occasionally post on Michael Hyatt’s blog. I would love to chat with you more if you have time. I am new to this blogging world and Rachelle suggested I build a site, etc. I would love some suggestions as I have seen your blog link on other’s sites.
God Bless you on your work with Caleb. How cool that we are both working with the same agency and what a blessing!
Looking forward to your book as well. Hope to talk more.
Dana
Dana, Small world. Drop me a note at edcyzewski (at) gmail (dot) com, and I can send a few things your way that may help. Also drop by my writing blog http://www.edcyz.com and you can learn from what I’ve done right and wrong in publishing.
Ed,
How funny. Just as this message dropped in my inbox, I was checkng out your website. God is so cool. I love it when He does stuff like that. I had no idea that you might have an actually site answering some of the questions I have as far as Rachelle’s expectations of me.
Thanks.
Wow. I just have to say, I’m blown away by Dana’s story. Can’t wait to read the book! Keep us posted.
And Ed: thanks for this reminder about the valuable life lessons that come from the wilderness. Needed to hear this today.
Another WOW here on Dana’s story.
Ed, I think it is AWESOME that you write about wilderness experiences — it’s a refreshing reminder against all the other voices that would make us think that wilderness might equate with something going wrong in our lives. It’s the opposite. Being stripped down the our ordinary bones, God shows us that we can find Him and be used by Him.
Very nicely written Ed…
I find myself longing to go into the wilderness alone just to be with God by myself. Is that selfish? I don’t think so. Focus on the Father without the interruptions of family, church, or just life in general is necessary for me. It doesn’t me those things aren’t important..just that He’s most important.
Laura, Tony, and Bonnie,
Thanks for your comments. It is liberating when we realize the wilderness can be a very good, God-honoring place!