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John 6:66 From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.It has been said that leadership is a position of LONELINESS. Jesus is the ultimate leader, and He is in a very lonely position. His feelings of loneliness are expressed in verses 67 and 68 of our scripture reading, as He asked the disciples, "Will ye also go away?" I want you to think with me, please, on THE LONELINESS OF CHRIST. First, HE WAS ALONE AS HE LEFT HEAVEN (Phil. 2:5-7). Jesus came to this earth from heaven. In doing so, He left His form, the form of God (Phil. 2:6); He left His Father; He left His friends; and He left the furnishings of heaven. The depth of sacrifices we cannot even imagine.Second, HE WAS ALONE AS HE LISTENED TO THE DOCTORS (In His childhood - Lk. 2:41-47). At the age of 12 the Lord was left by His parents; He was looked for by His parents; and they found Him listening to and lecturing the doctors of the law, amazing everyone with His wisdom.Third, HE WAS ALONE AS HE LET SATAN TEMPT HIM (Lk. 4:1-2). Two lessons I would like to mention from that great confrontation: 1. Our biggest battles often follow our efforts to do right (these followed the Lord's baptism); and 2. our burden bearers often do not appear until after the battle is over. It was after the devil left that "angels came and ministered unto him" (Mt. 4:11).Next, HE WAS ALONE AS HE LIVED WITHOUT A HOME (Mt. 8:20). Jesus came into this world among the animals; He carried on His ministry without a sleek, expensive bus or motor home; He was crucified on a cross in disgrace; and He was conveyed to a borrowed tomb for a burial.Fifth, HE WAS ALONE AS HE LOOKED FOR OTHERS WHOM HE COULD HELP (Jn. 4:6-8). The disciples were gone to help themselves, getting groceries. Jesus found someone in need. He felt weary (Jn. 4:6), but He took time to bring rest to the woman's soul. He focused His attention on this sinful woman, whom the disciples would probably have shunned because she was a Samaritan (Jn. 4:9).Next, HE WAS ALONE AS HE LABORED IN PRAYER (Mt. 26:39-40). The Lord's disciples neglected prayer while He prayed alone. They needed to pray more than He did, but He prayed alone. They nodded and slept, while He endured and prayed alone.Finally, HE WAS ALONE AS HE LAY DOWN HIS LIFE (Mt. 26:56). His followers forsook Him, His friends forsook Him, and as He became sin, became a curse, for that time even the Father forsook Him (Mt. 27:46).God will always be with you (Mt. 28:20), but you are likely to find times when you will be isolated from friends, family, fellow Christians and the world. Follow the example of our Lord in a willingness to be alone, knowing that even if you cannot see or feel God, He is with you!