Jesus’ public life has had as its aim the Cross. He is hours from it. The pressure is extreme.
Jesus, his life, death, resurrection, and ascension is more, much more, than an example to how we as humans are to live as we follow him. But today I do want to pause and look at what he is doing as the shadow of the Cross comes upon him.
What do I find? I find THREE remarkable steps. Jesus:
· Gives Thanks
· Prays
· Stay Calm.
GIVE THANKS: Imagine, one of your twelve disciples, someone you have poured three years of your life into, is off to betray you; to surrender you to be killed. (Today around the world I have the humble privilege of working with Christians whose governments are always seeking to have their neighbors, friends, and even family members—report on them.)
What does Jesus do? He takes the rest of them out and they sing a hymn. In fact, we know that at Passover they would sing a grouping of psalms called the great Hallel—Psalms 113 to 118.
“I will give you thanks, for you answered me; you have become my salvation…This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it…O Lord, save us; O Lord, grant us success.” In fact, it ends with, “Give thanks to Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.”
This is what Jesus is singing as he goes to Gethsemane.
PRAY: Consider Jesus has power. He has power to heal and to create food and to calm storms. Certainly, he has power to overcome those who are seeking to destroy him. Yet he does not use it. Instead, he prays. Five observations:
1. Prayer must be anything but perfunctory. Perhaps he prayed as no one else ever has. I am not sure, but I know he prayed intensely. Luke reports that he sweat blood. Note how it is described in Hebrews 5:7.
2. Prayer is a must, especially in difficult time. “When the most crucial and demanding action in the world’s history was about to happen, it had to be rooted in prayer.” (Michael Green)
3. Prayers with others is best. Consider, Jesus said in 18:20, “When two or three are gathered…” He longed for Peter, James and John to stay awake and pray with him.
4. Prayer can, and even should, be repeated. Jesus prayed three times for the cup of suffering to be taken awaken (39, 42, 44). To keep on praying denotes a sense of determination and confidence. It communicates the seriousness with which you take the petition you bring to God.
5. Prayer is not always answered in the manner requested. Underline this thought. Jesus, who had the most intimate relationship with the Father—His prayer does not deliver him—the cup of suffering is not taken away. Certainly, Jesus prayed that the Father’s will be done, but he also makes clear to the Father that if it was at all possible, to please take away the suffering—and the Father did not. So much more could written about this point—but I must press on.
KEEP CALM: The enormity of the situation is obvious to Jesus. He is about to endure the weight of the sin of the world. His disciples do not know of this, yet the moment brings out panic in them. Peter resorts to violence. Jesus stays calm. How? He has done all he can do. He has placed his fate in the hands of His Father.
Underlying these three very clear and distinct steps is Jesus’ ultimate confidence in the Father. I think here of Job saying, “Though he slay me, yet I will trust in him.” (Job 13:15 KJV).
When I face an extreme situation, what comes to the forefront of my mind? Panic or Confidence in God shown with thankfulness, prayer, and calm?