I will pray today for all of those who read this that God might bless you as only He can. I am sipping on a quick cup of Door County Strawberry Smoothie Coffee and waiting for the sun to show up.
No doubt about it Jesus was headed for a rough time of pain, despair and agony as the day grew closer to Him completing the task of providing a Savior for the world. He knew what was coming and in His despair, Jesus showed us the path to dealing with anxiety. He prayed, and He prayed hard. He poured Himself into prayer despite the fact that the outcome would not change. He sought peace and strength to face the gruesome task. We are witness to His emotional strength that during His arrest one of His companions cut off the ear of a servant of the High Priest in anger. Jesus was able to show love in the face of evil and He healed the ear with a touch from His hand. Jesus did not fight back, get loud, or resist in any way. Love was leading Him to go ahead and prayer guided His steps.
The Prayer in the Garden
39 Coming out, He went to the Mount of Olives, as He was accustomed, and His disciples also followed Him. 40 When He came to the place, He said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.”41 And He was withdrawn from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and prayed, 42 saying, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.” 43 Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him. 44 And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.[e]
45 When He rose up from prayer, and had come to His disciples, He found them sleeping from sorrow. 46 Then He said to them, “Why do you sleep? Rise and pray, lest you enter into temptation.”
Betrayal and Arrest in Gethsemane
47 And while He was still speaking, behold, a multitude; and he who was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them and drew near to Jesus to kiss Him. 48 But Jesus said to him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?”49 When those around Him saw what was going to happen, they said to Him, “Lord, shall we strike with the sword?” 50 And one of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear.
51 But Jesus answered and said, “Permit even this.” And He touched his ear and healed him.
52 Then Jesus said to the chief priests, captains of the temple, and the elders who had come to Him, “Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs? 53 When I was with you daily in the temple, you did not try to seize Me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness.”
What are you facing this year at Easter? Is their someone you won't dine with for Easter dinner, because forgiving is not within your heart? Are you withdrawn because of emotional hurt, not willing to go to church and praise God with others? Pray through it and ask for strength to overcome your anxiety, anger, or fears. Jesus did.
Marty
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