PUSH UPS AND SIT UPS
Mark 1:35-39
Sunday, December 28, 2025
Pastor Tim Wolfe
SCRIPTURE READING
Mark 1:35–39 (NASB)
35 In the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went away to a secluded place, and was praying there.
36 Simon and his companions searched for Him;
37 they found Him, and said to Him, “Everyone is looking for You.”
38 He said to them, “Let us go somewhere else to the towns nearby, so that I may preach there also; for that is what I came for.”
39 And He went into their synagogues throughout all Galilee, preaching and casting out the demons.
Context
Mark opens his Gospel declaring Jesus’ identity:
Mark 1:1 – “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.”
From there, the chapter unfolds:
(2–8) John the Baptist prepares the way.
(9–13) Jesus is baptized and tempted; God affirms Him: “You are My beloved Son.”
(14–15) Jesus begins preaching: “The time is fulfilled… repent and believe.”
(16–20) He calls four fishermen to follow Him.
(21–28) In Capernaum, He teaches with authority and casts out an unclean spirit.
(29–34) At Simon’s house, He heals Peter’s mother-in-law and many others.
Now, in verses 35–39, we see Jesus prioritizing prayer.
Main Idea
Just like physical exercise strengthens your body, spiritual disciplines strengthen your soul. In Mark 1:35, Jesus models the spiritual discipline of prayer:
“In the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went away to a secluded place, and was praying there.” Vs. 35
1. Early Morning – First Things First
Push-ups and sit-ups work best when they’re part of your daily routine. Prayer is the same.
If prayer isn’t the first thing, it will likely be the last thing.
Jesus started His day with His Father—before the noise, before the demands.
Spurgeon said:
“Look no man in the face till thou hast seen the face of God.”
Takeaway: Begin your day with spiritual strength training. Before you scroll, before you sprint into the day—pray.
2. Secluded Place – Eliminate Distractions
You can’t do push-ups in a crowded hallway. You need space. Jesus sought solitude to focus on His Father.
Spurgeon reminds us: “Secret prayer is the secret of prayer… If you do not pray alone, you do not pray at all.”
Takeaway: Find your quiet corner. Turn off the noise. This is where spiritual growth happens.
3. Praying – The Core Workout
Push-ups build strength; prayer builds intimacy.
Pastor David Guzik says: “Jesus did not pray because He was weak but because He was strong… Pressure and busyness should drive us toward prayer, not away from it.”
Prayer isn’t just for emergencies—it’s for alignment, worship, and transformation.
Could it be we’ve misunderstood prayer? It’s not only for the weak; it’s for the strong who want to stay strong.
Scripture Reps
Psalm 17:6 – “I call on you, my God, for you will answer me.”
Jeremiah 33:3 – “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things.”
1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 – “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in everything.”
John 15: 4,5 - “Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
Bottom Line
Push-ups and sit-ups strengthen your body. Prayer strengthens your soul.
Start early. Find your space. Stay consistent.
Your spiritual health depends on it.
Mark 9:29 Reminder
“This kind cannot come out by anything except prayer.”
Prayer is not optional—it’s essential for spiritual authority and breakthrough.
Charles E. Hummel in Tyranny of the Urgent wrote: “He prayerfully waited for his Father's instructions… Because of this he was able to resist the urgent demands of others and do what was really important for his mission.”
Questions for Reflection
What is God’s assignment for you?
What next steps do you need to take to stay focused on your assignment from God?
Keep showing up:
Prayer might feel awkward at first, but the more reps you get in, you will build a lifestyle/habit/rhythm of prayer..
This week, continue to make prayer a habit by making space for at least a 5-minute two way conversation with God every day.
Pray with your Bible open. Push through the hard work. Spiritual strength comes through consistency.
35 In the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went away to a secluded place, and was praying there.
36 Simon and his companions searched for Him;
37 they found Him, and said to Him, “Everyone is looking for You.”
38 He said to them, “Let us go somewhere else to the towns nearby, so that I may preach there also; for that is what I came for.”
39 And He went into their synagogues throughout all Galilee, preaching and casting out the demons.
Context
Mark opens his Gospel declaring Jesus’ identity:
Mark 1:1 – “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.”
From there, the chapter unfolds:
(2–8) John the Baptist prepares the way.
(9–13) Jesus is baptized and tempted; God affirms Him: “You are My beloved Son.”
(14–15) Jesus begins preaching: “The time is fulfilled… repent and believe.”
(16–20) He calls four fishermen to follow Him.
(21–28) In Capernaum, He teaches with authority and casts out an unclean spirit.
(29–34) At Simon’s house, He heals Peter’s mother-in-law and many others.
Now, in verses 35–39, we see Jesus prioritizing prayer.
Main Idea
Just like physical exercise strengthens your body, spiritual disciplines strengthen your soul. In Mark 1:35, Jesus models the spiritual discipline of prayer:
“In the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went away to a secluded place, and was praying there.” Vs. 35
1. Early Morning – First Things First
Push-ups and sit-ups work best when they’re part of your daily routine. Prayer is the same.
If prayer isn’t the first thing, it will likely be the last thing.
Jesus started His day with His Father—before the noise, before the demands.
Spurgeon said:
“Look no man in the face till thou hast seen the face of God.”
Takeaway: Begin your day with spiritual strength training. Before you scroll, before you sprint into the day—pray.
2. Secluded Place – Eliminate Distractions
You can’t do push-ups in a crowded hallway. You need space. Jesus sought solitude to focus on His Father.
Spurgeon reminds us: “Secret prayer is the secret of prayer… If you do not pray alone, you do not pray at all.”
Takeaway: Find your quiet corner. Turn off the noise. This is where spiritual growth happens.
3. Praying – The Core Workout
Push-ups build strength; prayer builds intimacy.
Pastor David Guzik says: “Jesus did not pray because He was weak but because He was strong… Pressure and busyness should drive us toward prayer, not away from it.”
Prayer isn’t just for emergencies—it’s for alignment, worship, and transformation.
Could it be we’ve misunderstood prayer? It’s not only for the weak; it’s for the strong who want to stay strong.
Scripture Reps
Psalm 17:6 – “I call on you, my God, for you will answer me.”
Jeremiah 33:3 – “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things.”
1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 – “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in everything.”
John 15: 4,5 - “Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
Bottom Line
Push-ups and sit-ups strengthen your body. Prayer strengthens your soul.
Start early. Find your space. Stay consistent.
Your spiritual health depends on it.
Mark 9:29 Reminder
“This kind cannot come out by anything except prayer.”
Prayer is not optional—it’s essential for spiritual authority and breakthrough.
Charles E. Hummel in Tyranny of the Urgent wrote: “He prayerfully waited for his Father's instructions… Because of this he was able to resist the urgent demands of others and do what was really important for his mission.”
Questions for Reflection
What is God’s assignment for you?
What next steps do you need to take to stay focused on your assignment from God?
Keep showing up:
Prayer might feel awkward at first, but the more reps you get in, you will build a lifestyle/habit/rhythm of prayer..
This week, continue to make prayer a habit by making space for at least a 5-minute two way conversation with God every day.
Pray with your Bible open. Push through the hard work. Spiritual strength comes through consistency.