As we spent some time in prayer at M-PLUS (our youth ministry at our church here in Slovakia), a thought crossed my mind which I’d like to pursue more in personal study and in discussion with you and others...
In reading the Gospel accounts on Jesus’ life here on earth, I recall many mentions of Him going off to some place to pray (Mark 1:35; Mark 6:46; Matt. 14:23; Matt. 26:36; Luke 11:1; John 17). What I don’t recall reading is any mention of Him going off to study the Word of God - which would have been the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament).
Now, understand me, I’m NOT saying that Jesus didn’t study the Scriptures. He did. He was a Rabbi and with the rabbinical training, he would have spent considerable time studying the Scriptures. He obviously knew them well as He quoted Scripture frequently in His teachings.
I’m also NOT saying that we should not study the Scriptures any more. What I AM saying is that there seems to be an emphasis on prayer in Jesus’ life that is not evident in our lives - in general. I’m not claiming to know the status of anyone else’s prayer life (though I believe that it is foundational in the life of one who wishes to have a spiritually fruitful life as seen in John 15), but I do know my own life and how & when I pray.
The God-Man, the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, perfect & sinless, holy in all things (to such a degree that, though by his life & teachings He condemned sin, sinners were drawn to Him in large numbers), did I mention “sinless”?, fully God (and so much more!), chose to go out often to pray. This is reason enough for us to mimic the commitment to prayer as we desire to be like Him.
However, add into that mix the fact that we are born in sin, struggle with sin daily, fail, fall and sin, the fact that we are finite (in that we had a beginning and have physical & mental limitations and more) and much more, and you have a resounding SCREAM for us to spend time in prayer with our God, the Creator & Lord & Savior.
Just a thought...
In reading the Gospel accounts on Jesus’ life here on earth, I recall many mentions of Him going off to some place to pray (Mark 1:35; Mark 6:46; Matt. 14:23; Matt. 26:36; Luke 11:1; John 17). What I don’t recall reading is any mention of Him going off to study the Word of God - which would have been the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament).
Now, understand me, I’m NOT saying that Jesus didn’t study the Scriptures. He did. He was a Rabbi and with the rabbinical training, he would have spent considerable time studying the Scriptures. He obviously knew them well as He quoted Scripture frequently in His teachings.
I’m also NOT saying that we should not study the Scriptures any more. What I AM saying is that there seems to be an emphasis on prayer in Jesus’ life that is not evident in our lives - in general. I’m not claiming to know the status of anyone else’s prayer life (though I believe that it is foundational in the life of one who wishes to have a spiritually fruitful life as seen in John 15), but I do know my own life and how & when I pray.
The God-Man, the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, perfect & sinless, holy in all things (to such a degree that, though by his life & teachings He condemned sin, sinners were drawn to Him in large numbers), did I mention “sinless”?, fully God (and so much more!), chose to go out often to pray. This is reason enough for us to mimic the commitment to prayer as we desire to be like Him.
However, add into that mix the fact that we are born in sin, struggle with sin daily, fail, fall and sin, the fact that we are finite (in that we had a beginning and have physical & mental limitations and more) and much more, and you have a resounding SCREAM for us to spend time in prayer with our God, the Creator & Lord & Savior.
Just a thought...
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