by June Friesen
Luke 22: 39-46
39 Then, accompanied by the disciples, Jesus left the upstairs room and went as usual to the Mount of Olives. 40 There he told them, “Pray that you will not give in to temptation.” 41 He walked away, about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed,42 “Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” 43 Then an angel from heaven appeared and strengthened him. 44 He prayed more fervently, and he was in such agony of spirit that his sweat fell to the ground like great drops of blood. 45 At last he stood up again and returned to the disciples, only to find them asleep, exhausted from grief. 46 “Why are you sleeping?” he asked them. “Get up and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation.”
Sadness…..pain…….alone…….fear…….wanting an escape…….in need of strength……in need of courage……admitting to His Father how hard it was to move forward and face this journey……a journey that must be completed……a journey where there was no other road…..a journey that would tax not only his humanity but also his soverignity……a journey that would be the only answer to the mistake/choice of humanity in the Garden of Eden…….a journey that is one of unconditional love with forgiveness for every, absolutely every sin humanity could ever concieve and/or commit against God and against each other….hoping someone on earth would care a little bit…..understand a little bit……humanity….so selfish….so self-centered…
Jesus: experiencing life on this earth so that He would be able to relate to our brokenness, sadness, and fears. Yes, He desires for us to remember the brokenness He experienced for us but more than that He wants us to know, embrace and live in the victory of the resurrection power He gives to each one of His followers.
Today as we celebrate with our brothers and sisters world wide as followers of Jesus help us O God, our Father, to be renewed in our walk with You and Your Son. May Your holy Spirit find a welcome home within each one of us but not only a welcome home but a vessel who desires to be truly empowered with godly living. May we bring hope like never before to everyone that we meet and may your healing love flow freely through our being in all our words, actions and expressions. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
(This photo is of Jesus in the Garden praying at the Stations of the Cross in Yarnell, Arizona)
June Friesen