Meeting Privately with Jesus
And the disciples came to him privately. (Matthew 24:3)
Mt. 24:1-13; Gen. 28:15; Ps. 16:8 and 145:18; Mt. 6:6, 11:28-29, 18:20, and 28:20; Lk. 24:37
What Is God Saying?
Our key verse is found in a passage that has come to be known as "The Oh vet Discourse". In this private conversation with his disciples (Matt. 24-25, Mark 13, Luke 21), Jesus, within hours of his crucifixion, gave his close followers an account of things that will take place before his return. Jesus spoke often of his second coming. It was not a strange topic to the disciples. Some of these things would take place in their lifetimes. For example, pointing to the magnificent buildings of marble and gold (Herod's Temple), he said, "You see all these, do you not? Truly I say to you there will not be one stone upon another, that will not be thrown down." This was literally fulfilled when the Romans destroyed the Temple and all of Jerusalem in 70 A.D.
The rest of these things will take place near the time of his return, widely separated in time. No matter. When seen from San Francisco, the Berkeley Hills and Mt. Diablo appear to be part of the same ridge. Actually, a large valley stretches out between them. In the same way, "these things" can be far apart. The hope of his coming again is sometimes clouded in an assortment of detailed interpretations. Nevertheless, Jesus will come again, and he uses this setting for a private talk with his anxious disciples.
How Does This Apply To Us?
The disciples were puzzled and fearful, so they went to Jesus privately. Away from the ears and prying questions of the Pharisees, they trusted Jesus to go deeper and explain something that was both a great hope and a troubling mystery. They went to Jesus because they were close to him. They went because they knew he had the answer. They went because they loved him and would be refreshed and strengthened in his presence. He said, "Come to me all who labor and are heavily laden" (Matt. 11:28-9). Peter said, "To whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life" (John 6:68). In the same way, we come to Jesus privately-when we are troubled, when we are burdened, when we wonder how things are going to turn out. That's what prayer is all about.
Pray With Me
Lord Jesus, I am so thankful that I may come to you privately. When the crowds are gone, when the rush of business dies down, when friends I cherish leave, I come to you privately. Meeting with you privately is my greatest privilege, my surest help, my great secret of life at its best. There, in private with you, I can speak with an openness and honesty that need not be concerned about what others think or how they react. You know me altogether and have shown that your love is to the end. The friend who knows me to the end of my need, loves me to the end of utmost sacrifice, and will love me to the end of time. So I come.
I come to You privately knowing You're ready to receive me.
I come privately knowing that I don't have to be careful about how I speak.
I come privately knowing that You are always there.
I come privately, not because I am afraid but because I want to be made unafraid.
I come privately to find specific answers to my specific needs.
Thank You, Lord, that with a universe to hold together, You have time for our private meetings. Let me never suppose I am too busy to meet with You. Let not the demands of business or earthly friendships that are Heaven-sent keep me from coming to you. I come to you privately, knowing someday I must come to you publicly. Then, I want to hear, "Well done" in public for that which I found the strength to do in private.
For Your sake whom, having found in private, I would serve in public. Amen.
Moving On In The Life of Prayer
Prayer opens the door marked "private" (read Mt. 6:6). Give him your heart in private, earnest prayer. Give him your life in faithful witness in public. It is for his eyes only when we pray in private. It is for all eyes in public. Breathe in, breathe out. This is the rhythm of life. His life is in us. Our heart is lived for him, and prayer is the catalyst. Without prayer, it isn't likely to happen. With prayer, it will.
