Friday 11 January 2013
- Bible Book:
- Luke
"But now more than ever the word about Jesus spread abroad; many crowds would gather to hear him and to be cured of their diseases. But he would withdraw to deserted places and pray." (vv. 15-16)
Background
Throughout the passages we have read this week there has been apattern of oscillation between public and private. In public Jesusdoes miraculous deeds (feedings and healings), teaches and isrevealed to be the embodiment of God and the beginning of a newage. But this is balanced by a repeated withdrawing to be alone. Inthe wilderness, in the hills, in deserted places, Jesus withdrawsto pray and to rest in God.
The epiphany is a revelation of who Jesus Christ is in his verybeing. The energy for that revelation is drawn from the time Jesusspends alone, simply being who he is. In his public revelationJesus possesses an authority and a security - a rootedness in hisown identity. He is rooted so firmly because he spends time alonebeing known by God and thereby knowing himself. The publicrevelation is dependent on the private reflection. The dynamicpower of God displayed in Jesus' actions is drawn from a deep wellof stillness and oneness with God. It is in this unshakable senseof self, this rootedness in his own identity, that Jesus standswhen challenged and opposed by so many of his own people. Itis also the power of such absolute presence that provokes thecrisis which so urgently demands a response.
To Ponder
- What do you need to do in order to be deeply rooted in your ownidentity?
- How do you balance activity with stillness and company withsolitude? Do you feel tempted to prioritise one over theother?
- Where does your energy come from?