Jesus Withdraws

Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself.  John 6:15 (NIV)

Excitement builds.  People begin to realize that Jesus could be the Prophet they have been waiting for.  He should be their King.  They want to take Him and place Him on the throne.  They mistakenly think that Christ is working on an earthly kingdom.  They did not imagine Jesus was working on building a different Kingdom.  But Jesus makes no secret about His entire focus upon building the Kingdom of God.  So when spirits get high down here, He withdraws.  Jesus goes to be with His Father.  He finds a way to leave the crowds and seek a quiet place.  He makes the effort.  He leaves the earthly-minded behind.  He goes to be with God.  The Son of God needs His special moments with His Father!

When we read of the life of Christ, where do we place ourselves?  What kind of position do we use to view His actions and His words?  Do we see with the eyes of normal people?  Do we think like some of the characters described in the Bible?  Are we like the Pharisees and teachers of the law?  Do we scrutinize His every move?  Do we compare what the Son of God does and says by what we know of the world around us?  Do we weigh His actions by what we have learned in books?  Or are we like the crowds of people who flocked to see Him?  Do we approach Jesus because we hear of the wonders He is performing?  Are we curious to see if He has a pertinent message for us?  Or then again, are we like His true followers and His Disciples?  Have we made up our minds that with Him, is where we need to be?  Have we left our former aspirations to make our place next to Him?  Do we look to Him for everything?  Will we follow Him wherever He leads us?  Are we learning from Him each day?

Jesus did not follow the ways of men, He sought God.  Instead of looking to get ahead in life, He withdrew to find the will of God.  If we have truly set ourselves to follow Jesus, is this what we should be like?  Before we go running off to the crowning of kings or any other earthly mission, should we seek a special time with the Lord?  If Christ is our guide, will He be consistent in teaching us this important facet of how we should be?  Will we let Him show us to do as He does?  Will we seek to be like Him in this crucial aspect?  Will we also choose to withdraw instead of blundering along in false security?  Will we seek God first?  Will we climb mountains in our deep inner need to be with our Father?  Will that be where we find our strength?  Will there in the Presence of God be the place we go to now?

Dear Jesus, we would like to learn this important lesson.  We would learn to seek God before all else.  If we could make Him the most important Thing in our lives, all else will find its proper place.  If we can spend real and special moments in His Presence, then His strength and wisdom can organize the rest!  Our lives will go according to His plan.  But we need to actively seek Him!  Please help us to follow You in this simple yet far-too forgotten practice.  Let us withdraw to be with our Lord!  Let us do it often!  Let us do it first!  Let pressing forward into the Presence of God be our all-consuming mission in life!

Amen