Something that has been on my heart lately is the retreat that Jesus took before His crucifixion. As we read through the Bible, we see the prophecy of the crucifixion. As we read through the different gospels, we see the anticipation for it. And during the narration describing the event, we see the stress Jesus went through before and when facing it.
We all have heard, and most of us read, how Jesus told his Disciples to get swords (Luke 22:36). Was this a reaction out of panic? If so, how did Jesus handle His panic? Regardless, scripture tells us after the last supper, Jesus gathered his disciples, and left. They went to a garden where He encouraged His disciples to pray and not fall into temptation, and where He also went and prayed. As we watch the scene unfold, we see Jesus sweat drops of blood. But right before that, we read, “And there appeared to Him an angel from heaven, strengthening Him” (Luke 22:43; ESV). It is amazing to me to know and see that during the most difficult time that Jesus ever faced, God gave Him a means of strengthening. Notice these two things happened together. “And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground” (Luke 22:43 & 44). These two events did not happen separately from each other. Jesus did not sweat drops of blood and then receive strengthening. These two things happened together. During a time of high stress, Jesus took a small retreat. He was able to spend some time with God, was strengthened, and no matter the worldly consequences, Jesus was able to return to and finish His calling. He got up, endured friends denying Him, guards flogging Him, and finally, the Christ was crucified for our transgressions.
While our calling isn’t going to be crucifixion for the salvation of mankind, we do face the one thing that Jesus told His disciples to pray against: Temptation. That comes in many forms, and in many different ways. Moral failures of people in ministry tend to lead back to an “escape of the Christian life style”. Other temptations center on sacrificing family time. Finally, there is the temptation of leaving your calling. Elijah’s Tree exists to provide a place of retreat to people in ministry. On Retreat, they, like Elijah and like Jesus, are Renewed, are Restored, and Return to Their Calling. This is our purpose. This is our calling. This is what we do. In the next few months, we will be having a breakfast fundraiser to cap off the year, and raise funds for our next year’s budget. We are looking for partners who are willing to help out with this fundraiser. If you are interested, please email me, or messenger me through Facebook. Thank you all for taking the time to read this, and as always – To God Be the Glory!