"Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a
solitary place, where he prayed."

(MARK 1:35)

Psalm 88
If you want to know what it was like when Jesus walked the paths around Galilee, get up at sunrise. While the stars still shine, before the cars start and people begin to stir, you can hear the sparrows sing. This was the time of day when Jesus was praying on the northwest side of the lake, probably near a natural stone grotto. The cold bites as the winter rains subside; to the east the Golan Heights glow pink.


Jesus’ prayers from here amidst the purple iris, yellow mustard and roses of Sharon are not recorded. When I was praying in this same spot, I was surprised by how suddenly the light comes. The early sun pierces down on the region where most of Jesus’ ministry took place before the first Easter. Later He would pray the high priestly prayer recorded in John 17. As that night wore on, He would beg His disciples to join Him for prayer in a garden overlooking the City of David. In His final moments on the cross, He would pray, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”



Scripture Focus

Psalm 88

Insight

"DEVOTE YOURSELVES TO PRAYER, BEING WATCHFUL AND THANKFUL." (COLOSSIANS 4:2)

Bible In A Year

  • Numbers 3-4
  • Psalm 62
  • John 2-3

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