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Now it happened that as [Jesus] was praying alone, the disciples were with Him. And He asked them, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” And they answered, “John the Baptist. But others say, Elijah, and others, that one of the prophets of old has risen.” Then He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” And Peter answered, “The Christ of God.” And He strictly charged and commanded them to tell this to no one, saying, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.” (Luke 9:18-22)
I wonder what it was like for the disciples, invited into such a personal area of Jesus’ own life. I mean, it says that Jesus was praying alone—and yet, it also says, “the disciples were with Him.” And they would have heard every word He said, all the concerns on His heart—because in that time and place, people almost always prayed aloud. It must have been like being invited into Jesus’ heart.
Clearly Jesus had some very important things to talk with His Father about. His mission to save us from sin and death would have been at the top of the list. No wonder Peter was able to identify Jesus as “the Christ of God!” Though he doesn’t seem to have understood that Jesus was planning to suffer, die, and rise from the dead in order to carry out His work. Listening to Him pray, and living with Him daily, wasn’t enough for Peter to understand. Not yet. But we understand—because Jesus did these things for us, too.
WE PRAY: Thank You for loving me, dear Lord. Amen.
Reflection Questions:
- Do you usually pray privately or with other people?
- Why?
- If you’d like to hear Jesus praying for you, read John 17, especially verses 20 through 26.
Lenten Devotions were written by Dr. Kari Vo.
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