January 10, 2003 - written for the Long Hollow Youth

Jesus as our model for intimacy with the Father

Many of us equate quiet time with God as a systematic discipline that remains the same day after day (see Matthew 6:5-7). While discipline and consistency is important in spending time with God, Jesus gives us His earthly life to model our time with the Father. Intimacy with God cannot be a program that is ritualistic. It must be an earnest desire to meet and experience our Maker. Jesus gives us in His Word practical truths about spending time with Him.

The Bible’s Perspective

Location has always been a challenge for many Christians. Even in some denominations they believe that where you meet God must be within the walls of the church. Jesus was notorious for turning traditions upside down and revealing that intimacy is not a programmed activity.

The following verses teach us about where Jesus spent time with the Heavenly Father.

I. Location, Location, Location! (Wherever)

Matthew 14:13 Now when Jesus heard about John, He withdrew from there in a boat to a secluded place by Himself; and when the people heard of this, they followed Him on foot from the cities.

Mark 6:46 After bidding them farewell, He left for the mountain to pray.

Luke 5:16 But Jesus Himself would often slip away to the wilderness and pray.

We see in the verses above that there are at least three locations where Jesus spent time with the Father.

1.) A Secluded Place – this could be anywhere
2.) The Mountain
3.) The Wilderness

In all three places we see seclusion (aloneness) as the key. Notice that this time was not in a church setting.

II. Time, Time, Time! (Whenever)

Next we see the times in which Jesus spent time with God.

Mark 1:35 In the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went away to a secluded place, and was praying there.

What the Psalmist says:

Psalm 5:3In the morning, O LORD, You will hear my voice; In the morning I will order my prayer to You and eagerly watch.
Psalm 88:13But I, O LORD, have cried out to You for help, And in the morning my prayer comes before You.
Psalm 90:14O satisfy us in the morning with Your lovingkindness, That we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.


Matthew 14:23 After He had sent the crowds away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray; and when it was evening, He was there alone.

Luke 5:16 But Jesus Himself would often slip away to the wilderness and pray.

We see in these verses the times in which Jesus meditated and experienced intimacy with the Father.

1.) Morning
2.) Evening
3.) Often – Anytime

Again, the Psalmist says:

Psalm 55:16-18
As for me, I shall call upon God, And the LORD will save me. 17 Evening and morning and at noon, I will complain and murmur, And He will hear my voice. 18He will redeem my soul in peace from the battle which is against me, For they are many who strive with me.

Psalm 92:1-3
It is good to give thanks to the LORD And to sing praises to Your name, O Most High; 2 To declare Your lovingkindness in the morning And Your faithfulness by night, 3 With the ten-stringed lute and with the harp, With resounding music upon the lyre.


Spending time with God must take place often in order to experience intimacy with Him.

III. Steps to Intimacy

The last thing we see modeled by Jesus are the actions he took during His time with the Father.

Matthew 14:23 After He had sent the crowds away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray; and when it was evening, He was there alone.

Mark 1:35 In the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went away to a secluded place, and was praying there.

Mark 6:30-31 30 The apostles gathered together with Jesus; and they reported to Him all that they had done and taught. 31 And He said to them, "Come away by yourselves to a secluded place and rest a while." (For there were many people coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat.)

Mark 6:46 After bidding them farewell, He left for the mountain to pray.

Luke 5:16 But Jesus Himself would often slip away to the wilderness and pray.

Jesus modeled these two actions for intimacy with God:
1.) Pray
2.) Rest

- Quiet times with God include periods of resting
- Being “busy” for God can exclude time to rest and pray


Application

We see by Jesus’ own example that He intentionally secluded Himself from other people and activities to spend time with His Father. In the same way, our time with God must be intentional and done often. Otherwise we will miss the intimacy that God intends for us to have with Him.

Pray about new times and locations in which you can spend time with God this week. Remember, He anxiously awaits your fellowship “wherever & whenever.”