Take a walk with me….
Imagine for moment, you are sent to complete one task in life. You knew beforehand what the task was and nevertheless you venture off to complete the task.
Along the journey, you began to do side tasks until the timing is right for the main objective. You find meaning in these side tasks and it brings you great joy in seeing how it benefited the people you help.
Then…..After 3 years….It becomes time for you to complete your intended purpose.
And the details of what needs to be accomplished, becomes a Reality
And you began to be Sorrowful and Distressed….
This….is Jesus
Jesus was tasked with redeeming man back to God. In order for this to be complete, there had to be a shedding of blood, death, burial and resurrection. Jesus, being all man and all God was the only one capable of fulfilling the promise. He knew….Everything was riding on Him.
But nevertheless, Jesus took on this task because He wanted to do the Father’s will.
Over the course of 3 years, we see Jesus doing miracles, healing the sick, feeding the hungry, saving the lost, teaching in the temple, and training the disciples. I believe it brought Him great joy to see the thankfulness of the people. But, nothing could prepare Him for what He was about to face.
Jesus knew that the Son of Man had to be betrayed, lay down His life and be raised again. It is almost like you know your destination is to arrive in Texas. But what you didn’t realize was, you would need to help someone with a flat tire, rescue a child stuck in a car pile-up, stop in another state for a teaching seminar and finally arrive in Texas just for the reality to set in…
This Is The End…..
Jesus knew that the time had come….In Matthew 26:2
“You know that after two days is the Passover, and the Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified.”
NKJV
At this time, a woman breaks open an alabaster flask of very costly fragrant oil, and she poured it on His feet as He sat at the table. The disciples were upset at this, but Jesus knew that this was necessary for the preparation of His burial.
After which, it was time for the Passover. Jesus sits and eats. Knowing the one who would betray Him was sitting amongst them. Nevertheless, this did not worry Jesus. He began to institute the Lord’s Supper.
Jesus tells them to take the bread and eat for it is a representation of his body. He also instructs them to drink as a representation of his blood.
What a sacred moment this must’ve been. Here is Jesus facing the most important night of His life, all of eternity lays weight in His hands…and He takes one last time to share a meal.
Truly Jesus valued their friendship, He trusted these individuals. They have history with one another and been through a lot together. But now, it is time to say bye…..
The moment is finally here! Time to complete the Father’s Will!!
I know Jesus is ecstatic! I mean who wouldn’t be, Right!??
But, for a brief moment….
The human side of Jesus…
Is revealed and He is Sorrowful….
Jesus walks with the Disciples to the Garden of Gethsemane
Gethsemane: “Olive Press”. Olives from the neighborhood were crushed for oil. How fitting, that the Son of God would be crushed here as well.
Jesus tells them to sit and wait while He prays. This is not unusual, Jesus often sent them away so that He could pray. But this particular time, He brought Peter, James and John with Him.
Matthew 26:38
“My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me.”
NKJV
This time, Jesus wanted someone to be with Him. He was facing something unimageable and His soul was sorrowful and He was greatly distressed.
Sorrowful: means feeling or showing grief
Distressed: means suffering from anxiety
Two characteristics that we don’t associate with Jesus.
But in this moment, Jesus’ human side is seen and He needs someone to be with Him.
Jesus prays… Matthew 26:39
“O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.”
NKJV
This is so unlike Jesus. He spent His entire life stating that He needed to do the Father’s Will. When His parents left Him in the temple at 12 years old, His reply to them was, I have to be about My Father’s business. Everything was centered around doing what the Father desired….
This is the first time we see Jesus almost…..
questioning…..
asking….
seeking….
If there is any another way. He is troubled in His spirit and prays three times for the cup to pass from Him.
Anyone who prays three times for something to change, is a clear indication…that you don’t want to do it. But…Nevertheless, even when asking for the cup to pass, Jesus desired the Father’s will be accomplished.
Has there ever been a moment, when you didn’t want to do what God asked?
Was there a moment, when you knew what to do but questioned if God would change his mind?
Well, you are in good company….
Because Jesus did the same exact thing……
Now, this is not an article to discredit Jesus and the wondrous things He has done. In fact, I believe that out of all the things mentioned about Jesus. This should be one of them.
Because in this moment….Jesus becomes us.
He becomes us when we doubt our purpose….
He becomes us when we question what to do next….
He becomes….relatable.
This is why I trust Jesus.
Because, I know that in my darkest moments, He will be with me…Because, in His darkest moment…He wanted someone to be with Him.
God doesn’t promise to make it easy….
But He promises to be Immanuel,
The God who will be with you… Through it all.
Life Changing Hope 