What Would Jesus Do First? Learning to Prioritize Like Christ
In our busy world filled with endless demands and distractions, we often struggle to know what truly matters most. While many Christians are familiar with asking “What would Jesus do?” there’s an even more important question we should consider: “What would Jesus do first?” The answer reveals the secret to living with purpose and spiritual power.
Jesus Prioritized Time with the Father
The Commitment to Prayer
In Mark 1:35, we see a powerful example of Jesus’ priorities: “And early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, went away to a secluded place and there he prayed.”
This wasn’t an isolated incident. The Gospels record Jesus praying 21 times, with 6 instances of Him praying alone. He prayed at His baptism, before meals, before miracles, and throughout His ministry. Most significantly, He prayed “not my will, but yours” in the garden.
What makes this morning prayer remarkable is the timing. Jesus had just finished an exhausting day of ministry – preaching in the synagogue, healing Peter’s mother-in-law, and ministering to crowds late into the night. Yet instead of sleeping in, He rose early to pray.
The Intentionality Behind Prayer
Notice the deliberate actions Mark describes: Jesus “got up,” “left the house,” and “went away.” This wasn’t casual or accidental – it was intentional. Jesus didn’t wait for quiet moments; He created them.
He withdrew to a secluded place, away from crowds and even His disciples. This wasn’t because the location was particularly spiritual, but because it was quiet. As Jesus taught, “When you pray, go into your closet and your Father, who sees in secret” will hear you.
The Duration of Prayer
Jesus didn’t just pray briefly. He got up while it was still dark, and by the time the disciples found Him, enough time had passed for the sun to rise, people to wake up, notice His absence, and organize a search party. This suggests Jesus spent substantial, unhurried time with the Father.
Why Prayer Must Come First
Before Ministry Comes Intimacy
Jesus didn’t minister out of mere overflow – He ministered from the fullness that came from time with the Father. Before engaging the public, He prayed in private. This pattern teaches us that being with God is more important than doing for God.
No One Can Pray for You
While others can pray for us, no one can substitute for our personal prayer life. Your parents, spouse, pastor, or even AI cannot pray for you in the way you need to pray. Only you can:
- Commit your life to the Lord
- Confess your sins
- Submit to God’s plans
Jesus Prioritized His Purpose
Choosing Calling Over Crowds
When the disciples found Jesus and said, “Everyone is looking for you,” they expected Him to capitalize on His popularity. Instead, Jesus responded, “Let’s go somewhere else, to the towns nearby, that I may also preach there, for this is why I came” (Mark 1:38-39).
Jesus understood that not every open door represents His calling. The crowd’s expectations didn’t determine His priorities – the Father’s will did.
Choosing Important Over Urgent
The disciples’ urgency didn’t dictate Jesus’ priorities. While healing and miracles were good, preaching the Gospel was His primary mission. He practiced what one pastor called “the ministry of planned neglect” – intentionally neglecting some good things to prioritize what was most important.
What This Means for Modern Christians
The Spiritual Battery Principle
Just like a phone needs regular charging, our spiritual lives require consistent connection with God. If we don’t “plug in” through prayer and time with the Father, our spiritual battery dies. We can’t run on yesterday’s spiritual charge.
Creating Margin for What Matters
Jesus refused to let urgency, popularity, opportunity, or others’ expectations override His need for prayer and purpose. Similarly, we must be willing to say no to good things to prioritize the best things.
Practical Steps to Prioritize Like Jesus
Digital Decluttering
Consider what distractions might be preventing quality time with God. This might mean:
- Turning off the TV
- Putting down your phone
- Getting up earlier
- Creating phone-free zones
Intentional Scheduling
Like Jesus, we need to be intentional about creating time and space for prayer. This means:
- Setting aside specific times for prayer
- Finding a quiet place away from distractions
- Protecting this time from other demands
Life Application
This week, challenge yourself to do something different to prioritize time with the Father. Whether it’s waking up 15 minutes earlier, finding a quiet space for prayer, or turning off digital distractions, take one concrete step to follow Jesus’ example of putting first things first.
Ask yourself these questions:
- What is currently competing with my time with God?
- How can I create more intentional space for prayer in my daily routine?
- What “good” things might I need to say no to in order to prioritize what’s most important?
- Am I allowing others’ urgency to dictate my spiritual priorities?
Remember, if spending time with the Father was Jesus’ first priority, it should be ours as well. Before we engage the world around us, we need to be filled and directed by time in His presence. Only then can we live with the purpose and power that comes from knowing and following God’s will for our lives.
