Jesus would withdraw to desolate places and pray.
-Luke 5:16
“desolate”
(erēmos)
deserted/quiet, isolated,
unpopulated, lonesome
Isolation is not always sad.
Isolation can be healthy for contemplation, free expression,
and self-evaluation.
Before daybreak the next morning, Jesus got up and went out to an isolated place to pray.
-Mark 1:35
For Jesus, the secret place wasn’t just a place,
it was a practice.
Being with Jesus in solitude, we can learn so much about Him and ourselves
But when you pray, you should go into your room and close the door. Then pray to your Father. He is there in that private place. He can see what is done in private, and He will reward you.
-Matthew 6:6
proseúxomai -“pray”
from prós, "towards, exchange"
& euxomai, "to wish, pray”
properly, to exchange wishes; pray – literally, to interact with the Lord by switching human wishes (ideas) for His wishes as He imparts faith
But when you pray, you should go into your room and close the door. Then pray to your Father. He is there in that private place. He can see what is done in private, and He will reward you.
-Matthew 6:6
tameion -“room”
”secret room, inner room,
closet, storehouse"
a place away from populated areas in a Jewish home, storehouse for documents, privacy, and household treasures.
Prayer is a spiritual dialogue, an exchange of wishes and the treasure of faith, discovered in the place most likely to find it.
Why do we feel tension when we talk about finding time for this?
Spiritual health is achieved not by adding more to already busy lives, but rather by subtraction – intentionally removing clutter, distractions, and over-commitment to make space for being with Jesus
Is it possible that we’ve become
so enamored with the “rewards” of our pursuits that we have overlooked the
most rewarding One?
THE REWARD FOR
FOLLOWING JESUS,
IS JESUS!
Why did Jesus make His isolation with God a priority?
To learn to do spiritual battle
Why did Jesus make His isolation with God a priority?
Jesus’ Temptations
Matthew 4:1-11
Truth Embraced
Unravels
Falsehood
How many
UNTRUTHS
do we live by?
“I am not needed.”
“I can do it all on my own.”
“Money is the only form of wealth.”
"I will be happy when..."
"I don't have enough time.”
“My life should look like _______'s life.”
“This is just who I am.”
To create healthy boundaries
Why did Jesus make His isolation with God a priority?
When the people saw Him do this miraculous sign, they exclaimed, “Surely, He is the Prophet we have been expecting!” 15 When Jesus saw that they were ready to force Him to be their king, He slipped away into the hills by Himself.
-John 6:14-15
Purpose found in silence, silences outside expectations
To recharge spiritually and emotionally
Why did Jesus make His isolation with God a priority?
Matthew 13-14
Hiking/Teaching
Ministering to Diseased
Rejection at Home
Cousin Murdered
Preaching/Feeding 12K
Immediately after this, Jesus insisted that His disciples get back into the boat and cross to the other side of the lake, while He sent the people home. 23 After sending them home, He went up into the hills by Himself to pray. Night fell while He was there alone.
-Matthew 14:22-23
Could it be?
Jesus walked on water to be by Himself, too.
Chaos demands a pause.
Jesus provides the peace
To find strength in weakness
Why did Jesus make His isolation with God a priority?
He went on a little farther and bowed with His face to the ground, praying, “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from Me. Yet I want Your will to be done, not Mine.”
Then Jesus left them a second time and prayed, “My Father! If this cup cannot be taken away unless I drink it, Your will be done.”
-Matthew 26:39,42
Being spiritually
“in the garden” with Jesus shows us the power source within all of us
His Control
over my life
He went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God.
–Luke 6:12
Even with His Spiritual Wisdom
Carve out time.
Find a secret place.
Begin a new routine
Be with Jesus
Clarity. Recharge. Purpose. Strength