Our Example

” And in the day time He was teaching in the temple;
and at night He went out, and abode in the mount
that is called the mount of Olives”
Luke 21:37

Jesus set such a simple pattern before us: teaching by day and communion with His Father at night. In other words, an active life balanced by time spent with Him in refreshment and inspiration. We are called to this balance just as the workers on the wall in Jerusalem in the days of Nehemiah. They built with a trowel in one hand and a sword in the other (Nehemiah 4:18).

The Trowel

“But ye, beloved, building up yourselves
on your most holy faith,
praying in the Holy Ghost…”
Jude 1:20

First, we are to be built up in our faith that
we may encourage and exhort
one another.

“And let us consider one another
to provoke unto love and to good works”
Hebrews 10:25

The Sword

“Fight the good fight of faith…”
1 Timothy 6:12

The need to be active and diligent in our sharing of His life with others necessitates His touch of renewal in the evening. I like the work used here: “at night He went out and abode in the mount”. The daily press of the crowds, the vehemence of religious rulers, and the constant treachery of those trying to trick Him into a response whereby they could accuse Him, is beyond comprehension. Time alone with His Father was crucial and is set forth as an example for us. He, the Only Begotten Son, has come to show us the way to live in this troubled and unraveling world. May we draw near to Him that we may be equipped to stand in the darkness of this day in which we find ourselves.

Ω

“For consider him that endured such contradiction
of sinners against himself,
lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.”
Hebrews 12:3

Brian Troxel