LUKE 22:39-42 – And Jesus came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him. And when he came to the place, he said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.” And he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.”

THEME OF THE DAY:  AS WAS JESUS’ CUSTOM.  When we read the scriptures, it is important to do two things. First, remember every word is the Word of God.  Each one.  Next, don’t quickly gloss over some words that might not seem too important to get to the “good stuff” so to speak. Today’s scripture might be a good illustration.

Luke begins to tell us that Jesus is coming out and going to a certain place, the Mount of Olives. Where is the Lord heading specifically? The Garden of Gethsemane.  What else does Luke tell us? This was not the first time Jesus went to the Garden of Gethsemane – as was His custom.  In these simple four words our Lord models for us a very important and necessary practice in our walks with Him; the consistent prayer life.  Let’s make two observations and applications for us.

First, Jesus had a place of quiet retreat for prayer, time of fellowship with His Heavenly Father.  Here is one of the great challenges we face in our way too busy lives and distracting world.  If we are to develop a close walk with the Lord, we must have a place to seek His face without distractions.  No phones, no computers, no television, and yes, even no people.  Make this a priority. Establish a “sacred place” of solitude.  Find our Gardens of Gethsemane.  Without them, we simply cannot know a deep intimacy with the Lord.

The second observation and application from the model of Jesus is make visits to our gardens consistent.  Even daily.  And don’t say, “I don’t have time.”  Yes, we do.  We will always make time to do the things and go to the places that are important to us.  It does not have to be hours but it does have to be consistent.  It will be true the more trips we go to our sacred placed to be with Jesus, the more often we will go there, and the time will increase.  But we cannot compromise these trips on the altars of busyness and worldliness.  The price to be paid will be costly – a spiritual life of barrenness with all the outward appearance of a Christian life while lacking the inward reality of the Christian life; Christ alive in us, the hope of glory, and the enjoyment of fellowship with the one true and living God.

As was Jesus’ custom, He made frequent trips to the Garden of Gethsemane for fellowship with His Father.  May He help us to develop the same consistency of making trips to our sacred places of prayer seeking life’s greatest experience – genuine communion with our God who invites us to come and seek Him in the quiet places.

RAYER: “Father, may I develop “as is my custom” a disciplined prayer life like Your Son.”

QUOTE: “Without self-discipline, self-denial, and self-control, there will be no growth in Christ.”

In the affection of Christ Jesus,

Pastor Jim