need a getaway?

“I’m tired.”

I think I hear that as much as “good” or “fine” when I ask how people are doing. We live in a culture that is worn out.

Jesus certainly knew the feel of busyness and pressure. Imagine crowds constantly following you, pressing you in, wanting you to heal them or teach them or simply entertain them with miracles. Top that off with your closest friends constantly asking questions because they don’t understand, religious leaders trying to kill you, and no place to call home at night and, well, it wasn’t an easy life.

And yet we never see Jesus hurried or harried. Tired enough to sleep on a boat in the middle of a storm, yes (Mt. 8:24). But not overwhelmed, discouraged, and irritable like we often get when overly tired. What made the difference? Yeah, it probably helped that Jesus was God and therefore perfect. But don’t forget that he faced every temptation we do.

I’d like to suggest one thing that made the difference for Jesus and can do the same for you: taking regular, frequent, and intentional getaways from his ordinary pattern of life to be with the Father.

In the 3.5 years of Jesus’ ministry, in addition to his daily times with his Father, the Gospels record at least 21 times that Jesus broke up his normal pattern of life and ministry to get away. They weren’t all lengthy, and many were interrupted, but these getaways were a frequent part of his life. From a study of these getaways, it seems that Jesus took them for one of 4 reasons:

1.Prayer. Jesus often withdrew to quiet places, away from the crowds and noise and pressures of life, to pray (Lk. 5:15–16). Jesus made intimacy with his father through prayer a priority of his life. Even during the busiest and most stressful times—or perhaps, especially in the busiest and most stressful times—we find him alone, praying.

2.Rest. Although Jesus was often accused by the Pharisees of breaking the Sabbath, it’s clear that it was because he disliked ritualistic worship, not because he disliked rest. After long days with the crowd, he would sometimes go away by himself or with the disciples just to get some physical rest (Mk. 6:31–32).

3.Equipping. Jesus knew that in his 3.5 years of ministry, he would not fully disciple all of the thousands who followed him. So instead, he focused primarily on the Twelve, and he would often get away from the crowds just so he could have a more focused training time with his closest followers (Mk. 3:13–15). He was equipping them to disciple others and multiply his ministry.

4.Realignment. Against all the expectations of others, Jesus took time away to make sure that his will was aligned with his Father’s. We often see him going off by himself to pray before making a big decision (Lk. 4:42–43) or before facing a difficult time, like the cross (Mk. 14:36). He did the Father’s will at all times, and he knew this because he checked in with the Father often.

Because of these intentional times away from everything, Jesus was able to live his life with intentionality and focus, and he had the most effective ministry ever known!

How good are you at taking time away for each of those 4 reasons? Do you go away to pray? Do you prioritize rest? Are there a few people you’re intentionally making time to disciple? Do you consistently realign yourself with God’s will?

If not, take a few minutes now and write a plan for how you will incorporate these 4 types of getaways into your life… even if it’s just for a few hours. Don’t let the rich calling God’s given you get buried under the pile of things to do and places to go.

Get away with Jesus to a quiet place… and rest.