Matthew the apostle wrote how Jesus, “ constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away”, and in chapter fourteen and verse twenty-three of his book, Matthew wrote shares how Jesus, “went up into a mountain apart to pray” where we read:
And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray:
and when the evening was come, he was there alone.
The verse reads, “And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray:”. Matthew began with the words, “and when” which means “and at the time and moment” “he had sent” or “Jesus dismissed and set free” “the multitudes away” which means “the crowds of people”, “he went up” or “Jesus ascended” “into a mountain” which mean “to a mountain or lifting above the plain” “apart” or “separate and away” “to pray” which means “to offer prayers, supplicate and worship”. Matthew shared how Jesus dismissed the crowd of people and ascended into a “mountain” to have a conversation with Father God.
The verse continues, “and when the evening was come, he was there alone.” Matthew added the words, “and when” which means “and at the time and moment” “the evening was come” or “the beginning of night which was from either three to six o'clock p.m. or from six o'clock p.m. to the beginning of night”, “he was there” which means “Jesus was upon the mountain” “alone” or “separate from others and by Himself”. Matthew shared how the night time came upon Jesus while He was “alone” upon the mountain.
When we consider Matthew's words in this verse, we see how Jesus took care of the people before He went “alone” to the mountain. Jesus desired to talk with His Father, and He separated Himself from everyone else to do so. There are times when those who follow the Lord Jesus should separate themselves from others and be “alone” with God. In those moments believers in Jesus may pour out their hearts to God who always wants to listen to their cares, concerns and praise. Jesus' example of caring for people after a long, long day of activities could only be highlighted by time “alone” with His Father in prayer, and those who are wise shall not only consider what Jesus did, but follow His example of how to relate to people and God.
Next time we see Matthew shares how the ship was, “tossed with waves”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book
“Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the
marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the
Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms
Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County"
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