John 8:1

Jesus, on the other hand, heads for the Mount of Olives. John 8:1 EFP 

From the outside looking in things seem to end well on that day. A more serious crisis is averted. Cooler heads prevail. The enemy is held at bay and no further damage is done. As the previous verse states, “Everyone goes home.” That is, everyone except Jesus. Jesus knows what he needs to do.

A cool and shady spot under an olive tree back home sounds pretty good. Some home-cooked food must have been a tempting scenario. But Jesus puts off the inviting for the essential. Jesus is in a different place than all the people he deals with. He is on a mission. The future of humanity is on the line. He has a cross waiting for him. He cannot face the future alone. So he goes to his special place where he can commune with his Father in heaven. This is what he needs more than anything—before anything else.

The thought is more than a bit indicting. I do not have to dig very deeply to be reminded how often I set aside the essential for the inviting instead of the other way around. When things are seen clearly I know what I need to do, but so often my vision is clouded by the pressing and urgent. Nothing is more pressing than my time with God. Thank you, Lord, for waiting patiently for me.