Jesus and the Lonely Place
In all four of the Gospel accounts, we observe Jesus consistently withdrawing into solitude in order to be with God. It happened so often Luke tells us, ‘he often did this.’ In other words, I’m going to stop telling you every time! Through this practice, Jesus experienced communion with God, clarity about his life, and renewal for ministry, and this can be our experience as well! If we want to seriously follow Jesus as our Rabbi, we must consider how to integrate this valuable practice into our lives.
While Jesus was in one of the towns, a man came along who was covered with leprosy. When he saw Jesus, he fell with his face to the ground and begged him, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” And immediately the leprosy left him. Then Jesus ordered him, “Don’t tell anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.”Yet the news about him spread all the more, so that crowds of people came to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses. But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed. Luke 5:12-16
- Pray that God would help all of us become deeper and more mature men and women of faith by integrating this practice into our lives.
- Pray that God would give your group and our church the strength and wisdom to be faithful to Jesus and serve Him by serving each other.
