When day came, Jesus left and went to a secluded place… (Luke 4:42 NAS95)
Luke does something unusual when he relates this story in Jesus’ life. He leaves out the word “pray,” whereas Mark keeps it. I think Luke did this purposely because he wants us to understand that ministry flows from a person’s relationship with God. Jesus had an amazing start in His ministry. Crowds pursued Him. They wanted to hear Him, His words about His Father, and they sought Him for healing. In Jesus’ place, I would find it easy for this to go to my head and think God thought highly of me or think my talents caused all this interest in my ministry. Success tests character. What did Jesus do after a great day of ministry? He arose and went to a deserted place. He needed solitude. He needed to hear God. Luke leaves the word “pray” out of the story to emphasize Jesus went for perspective, for communion, simply to be with God - and listen.
No one knows how much time Jesus had in solitude before the crowds came again. Jesus responded with loving resolve. Rather than surrendering to their demands, the will of the people, He had a keen focus on God's desires. Jesus felt compelled by the goodness of God to preach the wonder of the Kingdom to many more cities and people. He listened to His Father, gained perspective, and returned with vigor to His central purpose: proclaiming the phenomenal goodness of God and His Kingdom. I wonder what He experienced in solitude? How did God meet Him? What did He hear? Solitude with God empowers because He shapes us by His love. From what Luke’s words indicate, Jesus made a habit of this. Maybe I should as well.
For Reflection:
“But He led forth His own people like sheep and guided them in the wilderness like a flock.” (Psalms 78:52 NAS95)
- How has solitude, getting away, unplugged, and alone with God, impacted your life in the past? What sorts of things stand in the way of making time for solitude with God?
- How important do you think solitude with God is? How much do you think God values time in solitude with you? How possible is it that He could desire it more than you?
