When Jesus’ disciples finally discovered His solitary place of prayer, they let Him know that literally everyone was looking for Him. All kinds of ailments and desires for healing were lined up in expectation. Ministry opportunities galore. And yet, He responded, “I’m going somewhere else.” 

On another occasion, after the death of John the Baptist, Jesus informed His can’t-stop-to-eat disciples that they needed to get away to a remote place. But the crowds recognized Jesus and ran ahead of their boat. This time, He switched gears in the other direction: “Meet the needs that are right here.” 

Clearly, Jesus wasn’t swayed by or turned off by human needs. He also lived in full awareness of HIs own. Ultimately, though, whether surrounded by the multitudes or wrapped in the solitary comfort of His Father’s love, Jesus’ faithfulness inclined Him to listen with intention for His Father’s marching orders. 

Go or stay? Feed them or leave them? Heal or not? Speak or be silent? 

Can you imagine the personal pull on Jesus’ relational heart, when He received Martha and Mary’s desperate message that their brother Lazarus was deathly ill? If He left right away maybe He could keep His dear friend from dying. But God instructed Him to wait and allow something even greater to happen.

Through all the temptations Jesus must have faced to give in, give up, or give out, it was His faithfulness to God’s plan kept Him from conforming to people’s expectations. His rooted confidence in walking in step with the Spirit and His intentionality in getting away to hear His Father’s voice led to perfect obedience. He knew who He was and why He had come. 

To His doubters, Jesus said,  

“‘He who sent me is trustworthy, and what I have heard from him I tell the world.’ They did not understand that he was telling them about his Father. So Jesus said, ‘When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me. The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him.’” (John 8:26b-29, NIV) 

Even though Jesus knew from the beginning that His road of incarnation would lead to separation and crucifixion, He still asked His Father if there was any other way. Could the cup be taken from Him? 

Changing the course of history, in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus prayerfully surrendered. “Not my will, but Yours be done.”  

His life and death were fully and faith-fully given to glorify His Father.   

How might ours as well? 

Bible references: Mark 1:32-39, Mark 6:29-44, John 11:1-44, Matthew 26:36-46