“However, he went out and began to proclaim it freely, and to spread the matter, so that Jesus could no longer openly enter the city, but was outside in deserted places; and they came to Him from every direction” (Mark‬ ‭1‬:‭45‬).

In Mark chapter 1, Jesus was baptised by John the Baptist. This was after he declared that he was sent, as a voice crying in the wilderness to prepare the way of the Lord. He also declared that Jesus was mightier than he and he was not even worthy to tie his sandals. The irony was that after that statement, Jesus went to John to be baptised. After his baptism, as he came out of the water, the heavens opened and the spirit descended upon Jesus like a dove. “Then a voice came from heaven, “You are My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased”” ‭‭(Mark‬ ‭1‬:‭11‬). After this Jesus was led of the spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil for 40 days. After his fast and temptation, he was strengthened by angels. He returned from the wilderness having been strengthened and started his ministry in Galilee. Shortly after Jesus returned, John was put in prison and he went about preaching the kingdom of God and calling people to repentance.

Jesus called his first disciples Andrew and his brother Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, James and John. He then went into Capernium and taught in the synagogue. The people were surprised that he taught with authority and not like the Scribes. While Jesus was teaching there was a man in the synagogue with an unclean spirit who cried out after him. “saying, “Let us alone! What have we to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth? Did You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God”” ‭‭(Mark‬ ‭1‬:‭24‬)! Jesus rebuked the spirit and commanded it to come out of the man. The spirit convulsed the man and then cried out with a loud voice and came out of him. The people were amazed and asked among themselves what type new doctrine this was. They were amazed that he had authority over the unclean spirits and they obeyed him. After this incident, Jesus’s fame spread throughout all of the region around Galilee. 

After leaving the synagogue, Jesus and the disciples went to visit Peter’s home. Peter’s mother-in-law was sick with a fever and Jesus took her by the hand, raised her up and she was healed immediately and got up and served them. By the evening, the people in the city brought many to him who were sick and demon possessed. “Then He healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and He did not allow the demons to speak, because they knew Him” ‭‭(Mark‬ ‭1‬:‭34). The morning after, Jesus went to a quiet place alone to pray. Peter and the disciples went in search of him and when they found him, told him that everyone was looking for him. Jesus told them that they should travel to the other towns so that he could preach there also as part of his assignment. As he travelled, a man with leprosy came to him and begged that he would heal him. Jesus was moved with compassion and laid his hands on the man and healed him. He told the man not to tell anyone about what had happened. The man did not listen, but told everyone wherever he went about how Jesus healed him.

As a result of this, Jesus could no longer go to the towns openly but spent a lot of time in deserted places. People were brought to him from every direction so that he would heal them. Jesus also found quiet places to be alone with God, in order to pray. His response to fame was not as typical, as some of our modern day ministers who thrive off of clout and followers. His focus wasn’t as much about fame, as it was about reaching the lost and bringing healing and deliverance to those who were hurting. Despite his fame, he did not neglect his quiet time with the father, to remain filled and to stay in alignment. Fame is not bad nor is a large following on social media or on television. We have to constantly examine our desire for fame and assess whether it is for our own self gratification or to reach people for God. We have to remember that only what’s done for God will have eternal value and significance. God will bless the work of our hands and our gifts will bring us before great men. We have to maintain relationships with people who will hold us accountable and keep us grounded so that we don’t lose our way. 

“So He Himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed” ‭‭(Luke‬ ‭5‬:‭16‬).

Anneta Pinto-Young

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Published by Anneta Pinto-Young

I am a trained Social Worker who currently provides professional leadership on a programme to support Social Work students and Newly Qualified Social Workers entering the Social Work Profession. Born and raised in Jamaica in a Christian family where my father is an ordained Pastor and Deacon who has served for over 50 years in the ministry. My father is also a trained musician and our family can be described as a musical family. I grew up in a small farming community in St. Peter’s, St. Andrew and my parents also have a small farm. I credit my gift of writing to my father who I watched and listened to over the years as he wrote sermons, poems and other recitals in his capacity in ministry. English has always been an easy subject for me and over the years I have developed an increased interest in writing. I am a Trainer, I sing and have a passion for worship, the spoken word and the free flow of the prophetic anointing. I am married to my best friend Andrew Christopher Young who is an advanced Musician and whose music you can find on YouTube and Facebook. I am a trained Coach and Mentor and I love experimenting with food so I love cooking. I enjoy trying cultural dishes from across the world and I view food as an entry into cultures and languages.

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