01/13/2025
Yesterday we thought about being alone with God in times of correction, but today let’s contemplate those times when we find ourselves alone with Jesus out of love, familiarity, and to receive such things as His instruction, direction, or blessing... what do we say or ask of Jesus when we are alone with Him? Well, we can ask anything but especially the hard questions, or those that bare the uncertainties or insecurities that we harbor in our souls.
“ Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them, the one who also had leaned back against him during the supper and had said, “Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?” 21 When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?” 22 Jesus said to him, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!””
John 21:20-22 ESV
How incredible it must have been to be one of the original disciples of Christ; to have physically walked with Him, talked with Him, ate your meals with Him, and even slept through the night with Him. In the course of your days, as you walked between towns, there would have been times when just the two of you walked side by side and you could ask whatever was on your mind or troubled you. We have accounts of this alone time in the Bible... sometimes absolutely alone and other times alone with Him in small groups.
After Jesus had taught a multitude and told them the parable of the sower of seed, He was finally alone with his disciples and a few others, and they used this time to get clarification on the parable...
“And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parable.”
Mark 4:10 KJV
Sometimes when we are alone in our prayer closets we ask for clarification as well. Haven't you found yourself perplexed by certain scriptures or parables? What better time to gain understanding than when you have the Lord's undivided attention... or is it you that needs the alone time as you tend to your faith?
I remember times in school when I was struggling to grasp something that was being taught. I would stay after class so that I could ask the teacher to explain it again to me without the distraction of the other students. The teacher could well have taught all the others again, but it was me who needed to hear it alone... to ask questions without the interruption of classmates and of so many voices. In this alone time, I was able to ask questions as they came to mind and get the answers that I needed. Our time alone with Jesus is just like that. He isn't telling us anything that He wouldn't tell everyone else, but He is teaching us in a way that we need in order to learn... so that we can grasp the lesson and our faith can be strengthened. Alone time is often necessary for instruction.
Sometimes being alone with Jesus is for dramatic effect and to make certain that we understand that what is happening is all about Him and His calling. When Jesus was transfigured He was standing between Moses and Elias. Then, they were both suddenly gone...
“And there was a cloud that overshadowed them: and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him. And suddenly, when they had looked round about, they saw no man any more, save Jesus only with themselves.”
Mark 9:7-8 KJV
Why did they disappear so suddenly? I think we get the answer in what Peter had just said...
“And Peter answered and said to Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.”
Mark 9:5 KJV
Jesus had been transfigured before them for dramatic effect and to allow them to hear the Father's voice as He affirmed His Son. However, Peter was overcome by the spectacle and wanted to build three tabernacles. In fact, it wasn't about Moses and Elias... that moment was all about Jesus so Moses and Elias vanished.
Later we see Jesus appear to Peter alone after His resurrection. This occurred before the two disciples saw Him on the road to Emmaus. When the two travelers to Emmaus returned to tell the others that they had seen the risen Jesus they were told...
“Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon.”
Luke 24:34 KJV
This is the only mention in scripture of this early appearance of the risen Christ to Peter, and there is no record regarding what was said in that one-on-one meeting. Peter's meeting is left to our imaginations and conjecture. It was a private conversation and an event which we find is similar to some of our own conversations with the Lord.
We meet alone with Jesus to, among other reasons, affirm our belief, and on occasions of instruction, to receive a calling, and for the dramatic effect of His presence. These encounters with the risen Christ are often in our prayer closets, but they can occur on our own private journeys to Emmaus, or in private conversation (like Peter's) as well. What do we ask? What does He say to us? Are we ready for our time alone when it comes? Think on this and ask yourself if there is a lesson or deep concern that could benefit from being alone with Jesus. Is there something that you need clarified or addressed?
Prayer:
Father, I thank you for the times I spend alone with you and Jesus in prayer. I thank you for the personal nature of our relationship and being your child... not just someone standing in the crowd as they wait to see a spectacle, or hear a lesson, but as your child. Lord, I value the insight you give me into scripture through your Holy Spirit. I thank you for your voice each time I ask you for clarification. I am overwhelmed that you would meet with me when the crowd has dispersed and only you and I remain. Excite and enthrall me with your presence Lord in the times when I sit before you with the many, but especially when I am able to walk with you alone. Help us together so that we might believe, but help me individually in my personal doubts, questioning, and moments of unbelief. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you my God who is the God of people and nations, but first and foremost you are the God of the one. Holy are you who created the multitude of plants, birds, and animals, but only the one man, and the one woman from him. Great are you in all things, but especially in your love which is the foundation of all else. I praise your name before the many but express my deep love for you when we are alone together. I confess my belief in you and Jesus Christ before the church but accept you and He to abide in me and me in you individually... alone. You deal with the people and nation of which I am a part, but you judge me alone for who I am in my relationship and obedience to you, and for my personal acceptance of your Son Jesus Christ as my Savior and Redeemer. All of your children will rise from the waters of baptism, but you recognize us individually as we alone see your Spirit as it comes over us and we alone hear you say to us “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” Father, recognize me for who I am in Christ, and call my name out as being worthy of spending eternity with you. Your mercy and grace are for all those who will accept it, but it is administered to each one of us individually, one by one… Blessed is your name Father, for there is none greater nor more Holy and divine to me than yours alone. I breathe it with every breath I take as I breath in your life saying “Yah” and gently exhale it by sighing “weh”. You are “I Am” and “To Be” for you were, are, and will be, my Eternal God.
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! and Amen!
“And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.””
Matthew 4:16-17 ESV
“Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”
Philippians 2:12-13 ESV
Rich Forbes