Lent Guide: In the Shadow of Gethsemaneಮಾದರಿ

… a place

Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives – Luke 22:39 (NIV)

A place fulfills a very important function in the forming of our habits. We do everything we do in a specific place. The experience happens not just on the inside but also at an external place.

Jesus had certain places that were important to Him – the mountains, the ocean, the wilderness, and the synagogue, amongst others. Jesus invited his followers to go with Him to certain places, but He also invited them to find their own places and set them up for solitude.

“Here’s what I want you to do: Find a quiet, secluded place so you won’t be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense his grace.”– Matt. 6:6 [The Message]

To find a place is very important. To visit that place often, maybe even more so. Wherever Jesus was, he found a place daily to be in solitude. Here, He withdrew to the garden, a stone’s throw from His disciples (Luke 22:41). He also visited synagogue weekly (Luke 4:15,31) and sometimes other places of importance in his life.

At these places he usually visited, something happened to Him. Something extraordinary didn’t happen every time, but in a very challenging time, an angel attended to him (Luke 22:43). We can see the influence of this experience in his behavior when He returned to His disciples.

If you can recognise and create the places that are uniquely good for you, you may experience over time that you are strengthened and living with a new consciousness that He is with you. Start to live like this. It changes your attitude and the atmosphere in which you live.

Exercise

• Visit your daily place as if it’s the first time you are there. Look at it carefully and see if you can find something you haven’t noticed before. Is there anything you want to take out of or bring into the space?
• Think of places that mean something special to you. What happens to you when you are there? Can you be more intentional about visiting these places and plan pilgrim’s journeys to visit them?
• Share with Him what you think and feel about your experience

Prayer: I ask for a deep consciousness of Your love and work in my life.