Solitude
Matthew 14:12-13
John's disciples came and took his body and buried it. Then they went and told
Jesus. 13 When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to
a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the
towns.
WE talk so often of Jesus’ divinity to be sure we understand
that he is indeed the Son of God, the Second Person of the Trinity. Sometimes,
though, Jesus’ humanity gets lost or out of focus in our emphasis on the
divine.
This scene
demonstrates Jesus’ real human emotions. It compares to his passion at Lazarus’
grave (John 11:35), and it borders on his mournful passion in Gethsemane (Matt
26:37). Jesus responds as any man would to the news that his good friend, his
beloved cousin and God’s anointed prophet had been brutally murdered. He leaves
the crowd, takes his friends with him and goes to a solitary place. “Let me be
alone. I need some time to myself.” Jesus knew that before he could give of
himself again, he had to gather unto himself the peace and the comfort of his
heavenly Father. He knew John’s life was specifically planned, and he knew John
had faithfully fulfilled his mission on earth. Yet, Jesus still mourned. His
human nature felt a large hole in his soul, and he needed time to fill it.
Jesus’ solitude is
a good thing for all of us to do. But we don’t have to wait until a time of
mourning and loss. We can do this every day. Take 10, 20, 30 minutes in the
morning, at lunch break or after dinner to be alone with God. The truth is,
each day we need to fill the hole in our soul as the world empties us. Take
time with God, so he can fill you.
LIFE Link: Solitude with God.
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