马太福音：15:29-31: 29 耶稣离开那地方，来到靠近加利利的海边，就上山坐下。30有许多人到他那里，带着瘸子、瞎子、哑巴、有残疾的和好些别的病人，都放在他脚前，他就治好了他们。31甚至众人都希奇，因为看见哑巴说话，残疾的痊癒，瘸子行走，瞎子看见，他们就归荣耀给以色列的 神。
耶稣再次在加利利海附近的一座山上讲道和治病。这个地点选得好。他让人群远离城市，也远离日常生活的干扰。这里没有市场转移他们的注意力，也没有家务杂事让他们分心。这里只有属于耶稣的人群和耶稣。
你在哪里能够遇见耶稣并坐在他的脚边？最好查看下四周的环境，并保证不被干扰。关好办公室的门，关掉电视和电脑。但如果你是在电脑上学习，要确保没有电子邮件的提示音和其他干扰。有时候最好是在房子的某个角落放一把椅子，拿好你的圣经和本子用来记笔记。
还有一种和耶稣一起灵修的方式是参加你喜欢的圣经课程。如果你还没参加，记得一定要参加。你会渐渐和班上的学员熟悉，和他们讨论经文的观点，并分享私密的经验。基督教从来不是个人的经历。四周被基督徒环绕是很重要的。山上的人一边彼此分享他们的喜乐和惊讶，一边赞美以色列的神。
祷告：主耶稣，请教导我在灵修生活里为你献上足够多足够好的时间。和你在一起度过的时间是最重要的时间。当我的节奏加快时，请让我慢下来；当我被别的事物干扰时，让我远离繁忙的世界和你在一起。祷告奉你的名求，阿们！
Matthew 15:29-31: 29 Jesus left there and went along the Sea of Galilee. Then he went up on a mountainside and sat down. 30 Great crowds came to him, bringing the lame, the blind, the crippled, the mute and many others, and laid them at his feet; and he healed them. 31 The people were amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the crippled made well, the lame walking and the blind seeing. And they praised the God of Israel.
Jesus is again teaching and healing near the Sea of Galilee on a mountainside. He chose these places well. He pulled the crowds away from the cities and the distractions of their everyday lives. There were no markets to distract them and no chores at home which would call them away. It was Jesus the crowds and Jesus.
Where do you go to see Jesus and sit at his feet? It’s good to be aware of your surroundings so that you are not distracted. Close the office door and keep the television and the computer off. Or if you do your study on the computer, make sure there are no email alerts or other distractions. Sometimes the best is just a chair in the corner of the house somewhere, where you keep your Bible and perhaps a pad of paper to take notes on your reading.
Another kind of retreat with Jesus is your favorite Bible class. If you don’t attend one, then make it a point to do so. You become familiar with the people in the class. You can discuss points of Scripture with them and share personal experiences. Christianity was never meant to be a solo experience. Being surrounded by God’s people is important. The people on the mountain shared their joy and amazement with each other as they praised the God of Israel.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, teach me to give you both quality and quantity time in my devotional life. Time spent with you is the most important time of all. When I am tempted to hurry, slow me down. When I am being distracted, take me away from the busy world so that I can be with you. I ask this in your name. Amen.