Luke 22:39-46
Then, accompanied by the disciples, he left the upstairs room and went as usual to the Mount of Olives. There he told them, “Pray God that you will not be overcome by temptation.”
He walked away, perhaps a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed this prayer: “Father, if you are willing, please take away this cup of horror from me. But I want your will, not mine.” Then an angel from heaven appeared and strengthened him, for he was in such agony of spirit that he broke into a sweat of blood, with great drops falling to the ground as he prayed more and more earnestly. At last he stood up again and returned to the disciples—only to find them asleep, exhausted from grief.
“Asleep!” he said. “Get up! Pray God that you will not fall when you are tempted.”
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Like the disciples, there have been times when I have closed my eyes in the pain of profound grief…and much to my surprise, sleep came. Many of us know what it means to be “exhausted from grief”. It is comforting, in a weird sort of way, to know that others have experienced this also – even Jesus’ disciples. And because I know that Jesus grieved – and even prayed for God to take the suffering if it fit into His plans – I am comforted and encouraged. I know that Jesus is with me when I grieve…that to a large degree, He grieves right along with me.
But there is a second part of this passage that is important. Jesus prepared the disciples for what was next. A few years ago, Timothy spent more than three months with us and his grandparents. The day before he returned to his family, who then lived in Texas, I held him and talked to him…”remember how much Aunt Debbie and Uncle Greg love you…I packed your 'God' books – tell your mother to read them to you every night…say your prayers – God loves you and He will take care of you…be a good boy and help your mommy…we’ll call you on the telephone and talk.” Now, we stop most Sunday mornings and let “Grandma E” get out of the car near the front door of the church sanctuary, and then we take the children to their Sunday school classes. "Grandma E" will pause and look toward the little ones in the backseat and say, “Be good kids!”
At the Passover meal and in the Garden, Jesus gave His disciples instructions, to the effect of..."Carry a bag, some cash - and a weapon - so that people won’t think you are common criminals or beggars…pray that you will not be overcome by temptation…stay awake (and alert to the devil's efforts to distract you!)"
So today, we consider the agony of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane on “Maundy Thursday” night. We grieve for all that He had to endure…for us – the rotten, stinkin’ sinners for whom He suffered and died. And we hear His words [paraphrased]…”be prepared…watch and listen…stay awake and pray with Me…remember how much I love you…we will talk – as often as you like! Oh…and be good kids!”
It’s a lot to remember…and each of us has trouble consistently living up to all of these directives. But when you start to falter, think of Jesus…on His knees in the Garden…sweating drops of blood…begging the disciples to stay awake and pray with Him one last night…and loving them anyway, just as He loves each of us. How can we not do all that we can to uphold our end of things?
Isn’t this the perfect day to recommit our hearts to Jesus? Will you share in Jesus’ grief…and allow Him to comfort you in whatever circumstances you are enduring? Will you stay awake with Jesus?
©2015 Debbie Robus
Then, accompanied by the disciples, he left the upstairs room and went as usual to the Mount of Olives. There he told them, “Pray God that you will not be overcome by temptation.”
He walked away, perhaps a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed this prayer: “Father, if you are willing, please take away this cup of horror from me. But I want your will, not mine.” Then an angel from heaven appeared and strengthened him, for he was in such agony of spirit that he broke into a sweat of blood, with great drops falling to the ground as he prayed more and more earnestly. At last he stood up again and returned to the disciples—only to find them asleep, exhausted from grief.
“Asleep!” he said. “Get up! Pray God that you will not fall when you are tempted.”
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Like the disciples, there have been times when I have closed my eyes in the pain of profound grief…and much to my surprise, sleep came. Many of us know what it means to be “exhausted from grief”. It is comforting, in a weird sort of way, to know that others have experienced this also – even Jesus’ disciples. And because I know that Jesus grieved – and even prayed for God to take the suffering if it fit into His plans – I am comforted and encouraged. I know that Jesus is with me when I grieve…that to a large degree, He grieves right along with me.
But there is a second part of this passage that is important. Jesus prepared the disciples for what was next. A few years ago, Timothy spent more than three months with us and his grandparents. The day before he returned to his family, who then lived in Texas, I held him and talked to him…”remember how much Aunt Debbie and Uncle Greg love you…I packed your 'God' books – tell your mother to read them to you every night…say your prayers – God loves you and He will take care of you…be a good boy and help your mommy…we’ll call you on the telephone and talk.” Now, we stop most Sunday mornings and let “Grandma E” get out of the car near the front door of the church sanctuary, and then we take the children to their Sunday school classes. "Grandma E" will pause and look toward the little ones in the backseat and say, “Be good kids!”
At the Passover meal and in the Garden, Jesus gave His disciples instructions, to the effect of..."Carry a bag, some cash - and a weapon - so that people won’t think you are common criminals or beggars…pray that you will not be overcome by temptation…stay awake (and alert to the devil's efforts to distract you!)"
So today, we consider the agony of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane on “Maundy Thursday” night. We grieve for all that He had to endure…for us – the rotten, stinkin’ sinners for whom He suffered and died. And we hear His words [paraphrased]…”be prepared…watch and listen…stay awake and pray with Me…remember how much I love you…we will talk – as often as you like! Oh…and be good kids!”
It’s a lot to remember…and each of us has trouble consistently living up to all of these directives. But when you start to falter, think of Jesus…on His knees in the Garden…sweating drops of blood…begging the disciples to stay awake and pray with Him one last night…and loving them anyway, just as He loves each of us. How can we not do all that we can to uphold our end of things?
Isn’t this the perfect day to recommit our hearts to Jesus? Will you share in Jesus’ grief…and allow Him to comfort you in whatever circumstances you are enduring? Will you stay awake with Jesus?
©2015 Debbie Robus
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