As Usual

Then, accompanied by the disciples, Jesus left the upstairs room and went as usual to the Mount of Olives. There he told them, “Pray that you will not give in to temptation.” [Luke 22.39-40]

I find this passage intriguing today.

Jesus knew full well what was about to take place. He knew the beating, abuse, and death He was about to face. Jesus knew He would be betrayed and deserted. He knew He was about to be mocked and spit upon. Jesus knew He was about to be wrongly accused and crucified. And yet...

Jesus... went as usual to the Mount of Olives.

Why?

The Mount of Olives is where Jesus often prayed. The Mount of Olives is where Jesus fellowshipped with God. In the face of all that was about to take place in Jesus' life, He went to the one place where perhaps He most often communed with God.

The thing that screams out to me today is that one cannot go to a familiar place of prayer and communion with God when facing difficulty if one does not have that place established before the difficulty.

Father, let it be that prayer, wherever it takes place regularly in my life, is my place of refuge - the place I am most intimate with You - so I can face whatever difficulties that may come my way...