“Then they all went home, but Jesus went to Mount of Olives.” (John 8:1 NIV)
When others went home, Jesus went to the mountainside. When others were done in, tuckered out and ready to rest, Jesus climbed a mountain to get alone with the Father.
This is one of those texts that spring to life when you are familiar with the landscape of Jerusalem. See, the Mount of Olives is situated directly across from the Temple Mount; the two hillsides appear to be in a topographical stand off. The Temple Mount was highly developed; massive stone blocks and pillars and fanfare. The Mount of Olives was unkempt in comparison; still quite wild and crowded with olive groves. The Kidron Valley lay between them, littered with graves that kept the Pharisees and Sadducees from passing through to press charges on Jesus. As a result, the Mount of Olives seemed to be a favorite retreat for Jesus. We note; others went home, but He went up.
I remember my own visit to the Mount of Olives well. The tear-drop chapel with the spectacular view of the Temple Mount stirred my heart deeply. It was not lost on me that Jesus came to this mountain regularly. He perched on this hillside and prayed for His people. I gazed out over the remains of Herod’s Temple, trying to imagine it in all it’s grandeur, yet it was still only a threadbare representation of the true Temple in heaven. Two thousand years ago, Jesus could have sat in the stillness of the olive grove and pictured the perfection of His true address.
Others went home, but Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. He went to a physical location that reminded Him of a spiritual elevation where He could gain God-perspective. Apparently, He spent the night there. John 8:2 picks up at dawn, when He appeared again in the Temple. It seems that Jesus got alone with the Father in a place of perspective and stayed until He was ready to engage the world again.
Jesus had a geographical location that He climbed to on a regular basis to adjust His worldview. He stayed long enough to emerge obedient. I wonder, what about us? Where do you go to get alone with God? What place brings the promise of heaven into unclouded view? And when you go, do you stay long enough to re-engage rightly?
“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” (Colossians 3:1-2 NIV)
Lord, help us identify the opportunities and the places to pull away with You. Adjust our perspective. Help us see today’s circumstances from heaven’s vantage point. We want to honor You in all things. Amen.