Wednesday

Jesus' Day

"Most scholars believe this was a day of solitude for Jesus. He was doing the most important thing he could—getting alone with God. As he quieted himself, he heard the still small whisper of his Father say, "You're on a mission, and it's going to be difficult, but I'm asking you to endure. I'll be with you." " - Bill Hybels

Holy Scriptures
Psalm 131

As soon as Jesus heard the news [of John the Baptist's beheading], he left in a boat to a remote area to be alone. But the crowds heard where he was headed and followed on foot from many towns (Matthew 14:13).

After sending them home, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. Night fell while he was there alone (Matthew 14:23).

Early the next morning Jesus went out to an isolated place. The crowds searched everywhere for him, and when they finally found him, they begged him not to leave them (Luke 4:42).


Thought

Jesus always made time to withdraw from people to spend time alone with God. Jesus who was God in flesh and who lived a perfect existence knew that it was important to spend time alone with God. In his last week, when there was so much to be said and done, so much work to do, so much to think about, so much to rest up from or rest up for, a day alone with his Father was top priority.

Reflection

If time alone with the Father was so important to Jesus, how much more important it is for us! Time will not set itself aside for us. No one is going to open our Bibles for us, kick us into our rooms and shut the door. We can claim what is ours through Jesus - access to our loving Father, and we can approach him freely.

Prayer of the Day

Please make time to enjoy spiritual solitude - alone time with God - today. Your prayer may be a prayer of silence or a prayer of pain. It may be a prayer of need or of thanksgiving. You may have a mission ahead of you or a past issue to resolve. Whatever the case, do not delay - seek him and be strengthened by him.