READING: Luke 5:1-11, Mark 1:40-45, Matthew 8:1-4, Luke 5:12-16, Mark 2:1-12, Matthew 9:1-8, Luke 5:17-26, Mark 2:13-17, Matthew 9:9-13, Luke 5:27-32, Mark 2:18-22, Matthew 9:14-17, Luke 5:33-39
Just last night, I spoke about Luke 5:15-16 to a group of church volunteers in Georgia—so, I’ve thought a lot about this text recently. My studies led me to a devotion I wrote several years ago regarding Jesus’ praying, and I want to share it with you again this year.
I wish I prayed like Jesus prayed. He simply got alone with the Father, spending time in fellowship with Him (Luke 4:42, cf. Mark 1:35). It’s Luke 5:15-16 that most grab my attention, though.
The crowds came to Jesus. They wanted to hear Him preach. They brought their sick to Him. He had the power to heal them. He had come to earth because He loved these very people gathering by the numbers around Him — and still He pushed away from the crowds, withdrew, and spent time with the Father.
I really do wish I prayed this way. My fear is, though, that if the crowds gathered to hear me preach and brought their sick to me (that is, if I had the ability to heal them), I would do ministry first and then pray if I had leftover time and energy. That’s backwards, of course.
And, it explains one reason why sometimes I wear out in the work of the Lord. Maybe it explains something for you, too.
PERSONAL REFLECTION: Do you ever do ministry first and pray second?
DAILY PRAYER: “Father, forgive me when I go through the motions without first being with You.”
TOMORROW’S READING: John 5:1-47, Mark 2:23-28, Matthew 12:1-8, Luke 6:1-5, Mark 3:1-6, Matthew 12:9-14, Luke 6:6-11, Matthew 12:15-21