It's fascinating to think about the patterns of Jesus throughout the gospels. They can only be described as Kingdom-minded. He intentionally spent valuable time with people, asking questions that would lead them into a conversation, revealing the heart of the Father and the promise of eternal life with Him. His most valuable relationship, however, was with His Father because He knew that in His flesh, it was impossible to fulfill God's plan without an intimate relationship with Him. Thus, Scripture shows multiple occasions of His habit of withdrawing from people to spend time with Him. For instance, Matthew shares three events, each with a specific value, helping the reader see that Jesus best processed His emotions and concerns in fellowship with the Father.
Two clear examples are shown in Chapter 14. First, Matthew notes that the burden of John the Baptist's death caused Jesus to go "by boat to a remote place to be alone." (v 13). Even though He knew the crowds would follow Him, He was conscious of His need to commune with His Father over this sad event. Therefore, He took what time He could to mourn His beloved cousin who was born to prepare the way for Him (Matt 3: 3). Next, He went to the shore to join the large crowd and "had compassion on them and healed their sick." (v 14). That time away made Him able to do the supernatural work of God.
Ultimately, He would lead the disciples in miraculously feeding these five thousand people. Yet Matthew indicates that almost immediately after, Jesus dismissed them and once again moved with purpose toward a place of solace for an extended time of prayer. (v 22-23). Indeed, He needed more comfort from His Father since His time of mourning over John the Baptist seemed short, but He must have wanted to praise Him for the miracles that had happened that day. Also, He was most certainly praying that the faith of His disciples and those who were fed would grow and that they might be saved. In any event, He knew that all of these things would best be worked out in prayer.
Matthew highlights this third time in Chapter 26 when Jesus led the disciples into the Garden of Gethsemane. He told them to wait while He went over to the side, taking Peter, James, and John with Him to pray (v 36 - 38). There, Jesus said...
"My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will."
He was so deeply burdened that He longed to share that time with God the Father and His closest friends, but Matthew shows that His disciples could not – or possibly would not – fight their fatigue and follow Jesus's lead in prayer (v 40-44). Author Louis A. Barbieri says...
"Their sleeping and resting was in stark contrast to His agonizing and praying to the point of exhaustion and perspiration. He was lonely, for though the disciples were nearby, they were useless in their intercession. And yet He evidenced unswerving obedience—determination to follow the Father's will regardless of the cost."
Jesus understood what the disciples could not at that point: The only way His human emotions could be made obedient to God's plan and purpose to make His name known and advance the Kingdom of Heaven was through intimate conversation with Him. Throughout His life, Jesus displayed His heart's desire to be with His Father both in worship and in weariness, in fellowship and fear. He showed the disciples and the readers of Scripture that the "peace of God which surpasses all understanding" (Phil 4:7) is found in prayer and petition – communion – with the Heavenly Father.
What are your Kingdom-Minded Habits?
Do you believe your emotions are best managed in the presence of the Lord?
If so, does your quiet time reflect that belief?
Do you recognize your need to healthily process all the details of your life in fellowship with the Father so that you might be effective for the cause of Christ and the expansion of the Kingdom of Heaven?
Are you determined to follow the Father's will no matter the cost?
“Therefore, I tell you, stop being worried or anxious (perpetually uneasy, distracted) about your life... But first and most importantly, seek (aim at, strive after) His kingdom and His righteousness [His way of doing and being right—the attitude and character of God], and all these things will be given to you also." Matthew 6:25, 33 AMP
"For I know the plans and thoughts that I have for you,’ says the Lord, ‘plans for peace and well-being and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call on Me, and you will come and pray to Me, and I will hear [your voice], and I will listen to you. Then [with a deep longing] you will seek Me and require Me [as a vital necessity], and [you will] find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by you,’ says the Lord." Jeremiah 29:11-14 AMP
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