S170P3 – Behind closed doors: Jesus

Lk. 5:12-16

While [Jesus] was in one of the cities, there came a man full of leprosy. And when he saw Jesus, he fell on his face and begged him, “Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.” And Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, “I will; be clean.” And immediately the leprosy left him. And he charged him to tell no one, but “go and show yourself to the priest, and make an offering for your cleansing, as Moses commanded, for a proof to them.” But now even more the report about him went abroad, and great crowds gathered to hear him and to be healed of their infirmities. But he would withdraw to desolate places and pray.

For those of us who imagine what it would have been like to live in Israel during the life of Jesus, many words might come to mind to describe the experience. When we think of the miracles He performed, we might say it would have been amazing to witness even one of them. We know that He spoke with authority and wisdom, so it might have been humbling to hear those words. Of course, listening to him speak the truth would have brought one revelation after another. All these descriptors are positive, and we might expect that. For example, we might not think to describe this time with a word like disappointment, but we must remember that Jesus was not a machine who was simply on all the time.

On many occasions, Jesus had to leave and be by himself to spend time alone with the Father.  The first mention we have of this is his forty days of fasting and prayer before his time of temptation by the devil.  This time was necessary to build up his spiritual strength.  He did not walk in perfection with ease, but it took work.  Whenever Jesus went away to be alone with the Father it was to strengthen, recharge and be refilled.  When I speak of disappointment, I speak of those who would have flocked to Jesus but not been able to find him during these times.  This is because He needed what we all need, which is time alone with the Father to keep ourselves spiritually aligned with him.  Not even God incarnate could keep going without stopping to be energized.

When we take time alone to pray to God, it is not just about asking him to provide for whatever the emergent need is at the time.  There is a regular practice that should be happening here beyond our new daily prayer needs.  We also must take that time to be renewed and refreshed and prepared to live in victory.  We cannot spend every waking moment working for him without resting in him.  We will need to stop doing God’s work at times to prepare for doing more work.  That intimate time of preparation is no less valuable and is so necessary for our success.  Father, give us the discipline and discernment to put down our work when necessary and focus on being refreshed by You.