As I sat quietly in prayer this morning, the word that was resonating in my spirit was prepare. To be honest, it was the scene from my porch window that initially triggered my thoughts. As I looked outside, I was saddened by the realization that the beautiful season of fall was nearing its end, (sigh, I love fall), and the winter months would soon begin. This led to thoughts of cold weather, and the need to prepare by shopping for winter clothes. (Having recently moved from Florida, I am still in the process of building my winter wardrobe). Moving on… Anyway, next came thoughts of preparing for the holidays, and this spiraled to thoughts of preparing for upcoming December travel. And the grand finale to my rabbit trail was holiday hosting! Whew!

So, in an effort to clear my distracted mind and take my thoughts captive, I jotted the word prepare in my journal and began to record my initial thoughts, personal insights, as well as scripture verses that pertained to the topic of preparation. I ended my journal entry with a prayer of thanks and then moved on to my daily Bible reading plan. Today in my study of the gospel of Luke I read the continuing accounts of Jesus’ earthly ministry, beginning with his interactions with the pesky, ever critical, hypocritical, religious leaders on the topic of the Sabbath. The Pharisees are relentless in their pursuit to expose Jesus as a fraud. I find it interesting that the holy law enforcers continually violate their own law, beginning with plotting to trap Jesus on the Sabbath. Instead of observing a day of rest themselves, by worshiping Yahweh and spending quality time with family, these radical zealots are on an endless pursuit to trap Jesus. Although Jesus was God, is God, and has always been God, we must also remember that while here on earth, he was also completely human. So, from that perspective, imagine how incredibly exhausting it would have been to continually deal with these radical religious leaders. Now, after a full, fruitful, challenging, and physically exhausting week of ministry, that began with discipleship training in the grainfields, followed by a mentally draining debate with the Pharisees regarding the Sabbath, the compassionate healing of a man with a deformed hand, (which sadly enraged his enemies, leading to their discussion of, what to do with him), Jesus finally takes off for the mountains to be alone with His Father. “One day soon afterward Jesus went up on a mountain to pray, and he prayed to God all night.”

Luke 6:12 NLT Away from the crowds and alone with God, Jesus shares a sweet time of fellowship with His Abba Father. Throughout the evening until the break of morning, the Holy Trinity commune together. Although Jesus didn’t sleep, he is fully rested and refreshed as he begins a new day continuing his earthly ministry. The all-night prayer vigil that served as a mini spiritual retreat was a critically necessary time for Jesus, as the day that followed would prove to be a monumental day in his ministry beginning with the calling of the twelve disciples… “At daybreak he called together all of his disciples and chose twelve of them to be apostles.

Luke 6:13 NLT After selecting the twelve men that he would spend the next three years of his life with, (an enormous decision), Jesus, together with his chosen disciples descend from the mountain. Once on level ground, the crowd is waiting. People from seemingly everywhere have gathered together to see and hear the wise Teacher, who speaks with authority, heals the sick, rebukes demons, and boldly opposes the religious leaders. “When they came down from the mountain, the disciples stood with Jesus on a large, level area, surrounded by many of his followers and by the crowds. There were people from all over Judea and from Jerusalem and from as far north as the seacoasts of Tyre and Sidon. They had come to hear him and to be healed of their diseases; and those troubled by evil spirits were healed. Everyone tried to touch him, because healing power went out from him, and he healed everyone.”

Luke 6:17-19 NLT Now standing on a large, level area, with his disciples beside him, surrounded by a large crowd of followers, seekers and skeptics, Jesus recognizes his time and seizes the divine opportunity before him. Looking out at the sea of people, Jesus is fully aware that all eyes are fixed on Him. Filled with the love of His Father, and empowered by the Holy Spirit within Him, He whispers a silent prayer of gratitude, looks intently into the eyes of his audience, and begins to teach. God blesses you who are poor, for the Kingdom of God is yours…

Luke 6:20 NLT As I reflect on the narrative in Luke chapter six, I am reminded once again, that Jesus, although He was God, did nothing apart from prayer. He was consistent and constant in His communication with His Father. It was those precious times alone with His Abba that empowered and strengthened Him to live successfully on planet earth, and with others. Jesus is our prime example, in regards to everything pertaining to life and godliness. Before making big decisions, in his dealings with difficult people, and when preparing to deliver epic sermons, Jesus spent time alone with His Father in prayer. If the Son of God relied on quantity and quality time spent alone with His Father while here on earth, how much more do I, a fragile, finite human, need to invest in this critical time alone with God each day? Father God, I thank you for your words of grace and truth. I thank you for sending Jesus, your only Son, to rescue me and show me the way to live abundantly while here on earth, and someday eternally in heaven. I am grateful for your Holy Spirit that resides in my heart and reminds me that you are with me. Thank you for the privilege of praying in your name. I am grateful for your perfect love, endless mercy, complete forgiveness and constant presence in my life. Please receive my sincere gratitude today.

I offer this prayer to you in the beautiful name of Jesus,

Amen

*The Beatitudes, included in Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount is recorded in the gospel of Luke, 6:20-23, and an extended version of this sermon is also recorded in the gospel of Matthew, 5:3-12