ODJ: saving solitude

October 31, 2015 

READ: Luke 5:12-16 

Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer (v.16).

Several years ago I read about people who paid £1,700 (€2,350) per night at specific hotels in order to be disconnected from the internet, their mobile phones and all other types of technology that pierce the silence. They were willing to pay a lot of money to obtain what they hoped would be some peace of mind—even if it was temporary. They were willing to pay a hefty price for some silence and solitude.

Jesus, the Son of God, through whom all things were made (John 1:3) often chose to leave the crowds, family, friends, noise, demands placed on Him and sometimes even sleep in order to be alone with His Father. It was in those lonely moments and places that He had intimate fellowship with God the Father. It was in the wilderness, far from the demanding crowds, where He was renewed and also tempted to deny what He had learned in His intimate fellowship with God the Father and God the Holy Spirit (Matthew 4:1-11).

Jesus knew that the “Kingdom of God is not just a lot of talk; it is living by God’s power” (1 Corinthians 4:20). And a major way that Jesus gained the power to live the life He was called to live, to bring the kingdom of God near (Luke 10:9) and to die the death that He was called to die was by spending time alone with God the Father and the Holy Spirit (Hebrews 5:7-8).

Without that time alone in wilderness prayer, Jesus would probably have found it challenging to face the onslaught of this life. He needed His time with our heavenly Father. It’s the same for us. Thankfully, we don’t have to pay for solitude and silence. Jesus, who meets us in our silence and solitude, already paid the price so we might know His peace and power.

—Marlena Graves

365-day-plan: Acts 15:22-41