02-07-13 BFG 4

Matthew 26:36-45 "Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. ⁴¹ “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.” When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. ⁴⁴ So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing. Then he returned to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour has come, and the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners."

If we could interview Jesus about this night, how might it go? Maybe something like this:

Jesus, we know this was an excruciating time of sorrow in your life. Is it ok, if we ask You a few questions about it?

"Yes, you may ask and I will answer."

Thank You. What were you thinking and feeling as you were praying?

"Being fully God, I knew what was about to happen. I didn't want My sheep to be without a Shepherd. I wanted to stay and teach more, heal more - to - share My heart that was bursting with love for those who knew Me and for those who had never a chance to know Me. I knew all sorts of confusion and unbelief would enter into the hearts and minds of those lives I had touched and it grieved Me."

Why did you single out Peter when You said "Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” ?

"I wanted to prepare Peter for what I mentioned previously. I didn't want him to have to endure the pain of denying and rejecting Me. The denial would be devastating for him, but I also knew it would not destroy him - I saw in him not a lowly coward, but a courageous warrior."

Being fully man, was there anything else You were thinking about?

"Being fully man, my flesh was warring against my Spirit. I had a choice. I could face the incredible amount of physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual pain I was about to endure - I could have gone back Home - or I could have lived forever. My flesh did not want to die, it wanted to live.

What did your Spirit want to do?

"My Spirit knew what had to be done and to die was the ONLY way I could live and bring life to others. To die was the only way to bring Fathers' children back to His Presence."

Well, I'm certainly thankful and humbled by what You have done by dying a criminals death on the Cross. I am greatful because you ARE alive and for what You continue to do in our lives.

One more question, though, if You will. Why did you take Peter, James and John with you where you went to pray?

"Being fully man, I did not want to be alone. Even just knowing they were physically near me, was a measure of comfort to me. I knew Father would not look on sin, and soon I would be bearing all the sins everyone had ever committed or would commit on myself. Therefore, He would have to turn His face from Me, and I would be cut off from Him. I just didn't want to be alone."

Sometimes, our friends don't need an explanation of how they got to be where they are or answers to the questions that they ask (and already KNOW the answers to). Or when they are filled with grief or sorrow - they may not need spoken words. Sometimes just being with our friends physically is enough.... walking through a park or helping them with chores. Sometimes texting or emailing a kind word of encouragement, sometimes sitting and holding their hand in silence is enough. We should listen to the Spirit inside of us during these times... and do what He says to do or not to do.

Our Father, our Abba, or Dad loves to give us good things, His desires for us, answers to prayer - but He's just as happy to sit with us in silence when we are hurting or even when we are happy - in sorrow or in joy. So we need not fear silence.... when you're in worship or even alone in your room or even at work - take a few moments and listen to the silence of the Presence of the Lord inside.....sometimes, it really is golden.