Big Idea: Jesus takes regular breaks from ministry in order spend time with his heavenly Father in prayer. His desire is to focus his earthly mind, heart, and will on the kingdom of God and it’s advancement.
An ___________________ _____________ of the People
Luke 5:15 (ESV) — 15 But now even more the report about him went abroad, and great crowds gathered to hear him and to be healed of their infirmities.
Jesus has more people to serve than he is capable of serving in his human capacity.
Luke 7:20–23 (ESV) — 20 And when the men had come to him, they said, “John the Baptist has sent us to you, saying, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?’ ” 21 In that hour he healed many people of diseases and plagues and evil spirits, and on many who were blind he bestowed sight. 22 And he answered them, “Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have good news preached to them. 23 And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.”
Jesus sending the leper to the priests was not merely so that the leper could return to his relationship with God and men, it was also to signify to the priests, that is the high ranking officials in Jesus’ day, that the Messiah had come.
1 Peter 4:10–11 (ESV) — 10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: 11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Whether it’s long days at work, hard days at home, or overwhelming responsibilities in the church, each one of us can become drained and weakened by the week’s end.
An ___________________ _____________________ from the People
Luke 4:42 (ESV) — 42 And when it was day, he departed and went into a desolate place…
Luke 5:16 (ESV) — 16 But he would withdraw to desolate places and pray.
Jesus gets away to a place where there are no people. He is bombarded by people all day long, the crowds close in on him, he is constantly serving, and here we see that Jesus removes himself from all of this commotion to get to an isolated and quite place. A place where he is alone. A place where he can focus his mind and his heart on his essential relationship with his Father in heaven.
Where do you retire to in order to spend a focused time in prayer and meditation?
Luke 6:12 (ESV) — 12 In these days he went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God.
Luke 9:18 (ESV) — 18 Now it happened that as he was praying alone…
A ____________________ _____________ near to God
Luke 5:16 (ESV) — 16 But he would withdraw to desolate places and pray.
Spending time alone with God focused Jesus’ mind, heart, and will on his primary purpose, that was to preach the good news of the kingdom to all the towns.
Isaiah 26:3 (ESV) — 3 You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.
Questions to Consider:
Are you too busy to pray? How might you make space in your day to withdraw from people and intentionally seek out God in prayer?
Where is your quiet place? What is God’s primary purpose for your life right now?
