Getting Closer to Jesus: We know this grove of olive trees was called the Garden of Gethsemane. By the other Gospel accounts, we also know that when Judas showed up with the guards to arrest him in this very place, Jesus was in deep and agonizing prayer. What may be lost in the greater drama of Judas’ betrayal and Christ’s passion, however, are the words, “Jesus had often gone there with his disciples.”

This was a regular place for Jesus. The disciples were familiar with Jesus’ garden retreat; so was Satan, since he knew to inspire Judas to betray the Savior there. Jesus had gone there often enough that those who knew him knew that would be the very place where he prayed.

Have you ever wondered why John took this small, seemingly insignificant detail and tucked it away within the more obvious storyline of Jesus’ arrest? Perhaps he wanted us to see what was plain to Jesus’ disciples: That even the Son of God carved out the time, made room, and even found a physical place in his life for regular communion with his Father. Furthermore, Jesus had purposely included his disciples in his private times with God to leave an example for them as a reminder that if he, the very Son of God, needed quiet time, so did they.

So do I—and so do you.

Do you have that regular place? Do the people in your life know where you spend time with God? Does the devil know where to find you? The place itself is not important. The fact that people know you are regularly in that place is not important. What is important is that you are in that place where you can touch God and God can touch you with his love and grace. By the way, since Satan knows you are there, too, he will have to get past Jesus, since he is there, to get to you.

So, again, I ask, “Where do you make space for time with Jesus?”

It is said that early African Christians were dedicated and regular in their personal devotion to God. Each one reportedly had a separate spot in the thicket where he would pour out his heart to God. Over time, the paths to these places became well-worn. As a result, if one of these believers began to neglect prayer, it was soon apparent to the others. They would kindly challenge anyone neglecting their prayer life, “Friend, the grass grows on your path.”

Keep the path to your Gethsemane well-worn!

“ Prayer is the acid test of devotion. — SAMUEL CHADWICK

Take the Next Step: Perhaps making this very moment of devotion a regular part of your life that you fiercely guard will be the beginning that “familiar place” for you.