Read Mark 14:32-42
Guess What? Jesus Can Relate!
Jesus and his disciples went to a place called Gethsemane. Jesus said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” Peter, James, and John went with him to a separate place. Jesus was deeply distressed and troubled. At one point Jesus said to the three, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch.”
Then Jesus went a little farther and fell to the ground and prayed that if it was possible that the upcoming hour of pain and suffering might be taken away from him. In fact, Jesus prayed to his father, “Abba, Father, everything is possible for you. Take this cup of suffering from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” Three times Jesus prayed this prayer because he knew it was time for him to suffer and be beaten to the point of un-recognition. He knew he would be going to the cross for the Forgiveness of our sins. He wondered if there was a way to accomplish forgiveness other than going to the cross. Three times he prayed and three times he checked with his disciples and they weren’t watching and praying because they kept falling asleep.
Jesus, in his worst moment of his life, felt no support from his disciples. He realized it was God’s will for him to suffer and go to the cross for us. He joyfully went in obedience to God’s call. He said to his disciples, “The hour has come.” Meaning the hour of suffering has come. He said, “Here comes my betrayer. Let us go and do what I’m called to do. He didn’t say, “Let’s run from it,” but instead said let’s face it head on. Let God accomplish what he wants to accomplish through it.
Does any of this resonate with you? Have you ever gone through something and you were deeply distressed and troubled? You were even overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death (or wish you were dead). Guess what? Jesus can relate. Have you ever called out to your friends to stand with you through your sorrow and pain only to find them not supportive? You felt all alone? Guess what? Jesus can relate. Have you ever prayed to God, more than once, for him to take away the horrible situation you’re in, only to find out he didn’t do it when you wanted him to. Guess what? Jesus can relate.
Have you ever prayed for things to stop but then in your prayer you finished with “God, not my will be done but yours be done!” Guess what? Jesus did because it was more important to be obedient to God’s call then escaping pain and suffering.
Have you ever seen the hardship coming and then said, “Let’s go! Let’s take it head on. Let’s face what is before me and go through it and let God do what he wants to accomplish? Guess What? Jesus Did!
We often want to run from our pain and suffering. But often, God wants to go through it with us in order to accomplish something new and through our lives for his glory. In fact, what we go through often will impact other lives as well. So don’t quit! Don’t give up! God is still at work and he’ll get you through it. Change your heart and attitude. Say, God, LET’S GO! I’m ready! Let’s do this together! Give me the strength I need to get to the other side!
