Luke 4:42-44
Find a place and time free of distractions for the next 7-10 minutes. Take a moment to settle into your surroundings and then begin to recognize your breath. As you breathe in, call on the name of Jesus and become aware of his presence with you. As you breathe out, open your mind and heart to receive whatever Jesus has for you today.
As we continue exploring Jesus’ time in Capernaum, read Luke 4:42-44 slowly and thoughtfully noticing anything that stands out to you.
In our last passage we watched as Jesus continued to heal people into the night, but now as dawn breaks we find him seeking solitude in an isolated place. This need to be alone with God is something we see in Jesus’ life throughout the Gospels. Though he always had his restorative mission in sight, he was also keenly aware of his need for rest and replenishment. And he habitually made time to be away from both the crowds and his disciples.
Jesus lived his life on earth as a human with all the human limitations – physical, mental, and emotional. But Jesus knew how to live within his limits.
How do you feel, or what do you think about the idea of limits? How well do you live within your God-given limits? Spend some time talking about this with Jesus.
Read Luke 4:42-44 again.
Jesus’ times of solitude and prayer did more than replenish him; they provided space for him to listen, uninterrupted, to God the Father. And in these times of communion with God Jesus was continually reminded of his identity and purpose. Because of his unbroken relationship with God, and because he recognized God as the source of his identity and power, he was never swayed by the pressures of popularity or urgency. Jesus knew how to “rest” in God at all times and he knew when to rest alone with God.
Psalm 27 is a text that could serve as the basis for a rich time of solitude and communion with God. You might want to consider at some point setting aside an hour or even more time to get alone with God and meditate on Psalm 27. For right now, get still and contemplate a small portion of the of the Psalm – verses 7-8:
“Hear me as I pray, O Lord.
Be merciful and answer me!
My heart has heard you say, ‘Come and talk with me.’
And my heart responds, ‘Lord, I am coming.’”
Imagine Jesus standing before you and saying, “Come and talk with me.” Stay with this for a while.
What might Jesus be inviting you to change or do today?
How will you respond?
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The Everyday Jesus Follower’s Guide ebook can help you learn how to recognize God's voice, how to read and understand the Bible, how to develop deep spiritual friendships, and how to become the person you were meant to be. Use it alone, with a friend or in a small group.
