Perseverance in Prayer- 12/11/2022

Dec 11, 2022

Jesus had endured constant conflict with the religious leaders. On several occasions, those moments ended with an attempt to kill Him, often by the religious leaders picking up stones. Jesus showed courage under pressure and persecution. However, after this latest attempt, He left the city and went out to the Jordan River where John the Baptist had begun his ministry (Jn 1:28). It is where He had been baptized (Mt 3:13-17) and had called His first disciples (Jn 1:35-51). Jesus would not return to Jerusalem until shortly before Passover (Jn 12:1), three to four months later. At some point during those months, He left the Jordan to visit Bethany (Jn 11:7, 18), a village located about two miles east of Jerusalem. He went there only to raise Lazarus from the dead (Jn 11:11). From there, He traveled north to a small city near the eastern edge of the Judean wilderness called Ephraim (Jn 11:54). Jesus was about to face the most extensive trial of His life. There is so much to learn in how Jesus prepared Himself for trials and tribulations. He removed Himself from the tension but continued to minister and serve the Lord. There was a time for Him to be in the midst of the tension for the glory of God, and now was a time to pray and prepare Himself for what was to come. Jesus understood that being close to the Father would prepare Him for what was ahead. He knew the only way through this was to persevere in prayer. Perseverance in prayer puts us in a position to observe and understand God's strategy and timing.