Each day this week, Pastor Gary Underwood and Delaware Grace Brethren Church will share a passage of Scripture and a few reflections on Jesus Christ and His suffering as Good Friday approaches.For day one, our devotional centers on Luke 22:39-46.
Luke includes this account of Jesus' prayer at the Mount of Olives, shortly before he is arrested. He says that Jesus went out as usual for this private time of communion with his Father.
Verse 42 records a short summary of his prayer, with the words, "Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done." In other passages, Jesus has mentioned this "cup," apparently referring to the ancient "cup of judgment" (Isaiah 51:17-23).
Jesus knows that he alone is about to experience the judgment, the punishment, the wrath of God as He takes the sins of the world on His back. Jesus understands the impending pain that is spiritual, physical, and emotional.
This sort of punishment and pain is impossible for us to understand, and it was impossible for Jesus alone to bear. Notice the reinforcements sent by God, to make sure Jesus keeps to the task - "An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him" (Luke 22:43). God gives Jesus the strength and access to supernatural help.
But He's still suffering. He hasn't been arrested yet, but Jesus is feeling the weight of the world (spiritual and physical) on our behalf. He prays even more. Earnestly. He prays to the point of sweat, and sweats to the point of dripping blood.
If you're going to anything substantial for God, then start praying.
How did Jesus muster the courage, the focus, the power, the desire to go through with this bloody and horrendous reality - a necessary sacrifice that would pay the price for sins? He prayed. And prayed. And prayed.
Immediately, he encounters the sleepy and lazy disciples. Much like us, they took their Savior and their faith for granted. His first words for them?
"Get up and pray!"
This week, let's ask God for the power to think through the Cross with the Gospel of Luke. Let's savor the Savior and consider His feelings, His approach, His suffering in new ways for 2009. On day one, why not make this a goal for this week, to hear the words of the Messiah, full of God-given strength, reminding us of the most important thing to do in life...
"Get up and pray!"
Jesus deserves our full attention this week, doesn't He?
We talk often to those we love.
ReplyDeleteHe died seeing my sins in years to come. His love is amazing and I will forever grateful! I will praise him forever now and in eternity. Teresa
ReplyDeleteAnd as Paul said, I am/was the chief among sinners. He paid the price. Lest we forget what we were before and what we are now. We are all the same in Christ!
ReplyDelete