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Matthew 26 -- WOW ...
Little bits of conversation here and there during this dramatic chapter really stuck with me today. Jesus was talking to His disciples during the Lord's Supper. He'd said that His disciples would stumble in their faith because of
Little bits of conversation here and there during this dramatic chapter really stuck with me today. Jesus was talking to His disciples during the Lord's Supper. He'd said that His disciples would stumble in their faith because of His suffering and death. Next, He says, "But after I rise from the dead ...."
Peter seems too stuck on himself to notice that, saying, "Everyone else might, but not me!" He totally misses what Jesus had just said that was so full of hope - "But after I rise from the dead ..."
Fast forward to the Garden of Gesthemane. Jesus, Peter, James, and John are by themselves, and for possibly the first time, they see Jesus begin to be very sad and troubled. What a red flag that should have been. "My heart is full of sorrow, to the point of death." Did they do anything at all to uplift and encourage Him? It just doesn't say.
Later He prays, "My Father, if it is possible, do not give Me this cup of suffering. But do what You want, not what I want." His fully human side fearing death? Possibly ... Or possibly His fully divine side shivering at the thought of taking on sin - not just one man's sin, but all of the sin of humanity, from Adam to our distant future - what a burden, especially for One who'd never known sin.
Again, He prays, "My Father, if it is not possible for this painful thing to be taken from Me, and if I must do it, I pray that what You want will be done."
I imagine that here it wasn't physical death that scared him or taking on the sin of the world ... perhaps it was losing His CONNECTION with God, which had to happen when God would turn His back on Him, loaded with all the sin of the world. How could One who'd always been vitally and intimately connected with His Father stand the separation that was about to occur? Death from a broken heart? Most likely.
Father, I wish that I could become so connected with You! Instead, like every other human, sickened by sin, my thoughts and actions all too often turn selfish - struggling for some minor perceived gain or to avoid some miniscule loss and in the course of it all never realizing the real loss I'm causing myself to suffer by intentionally choosing to sever, even for a moment, my connection with You. Sin causes us to major on the minors, Father. Teach me differently. Remind me what's really important - that connection to You.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
Peter seems too stuck on himself to notice that, saying, "Everyone else might, but not me!" He totally misses what Jesus had just said that was so full of hope - "But after I rise from the dead ..."
Fast forward to the Garden of Gesthemane. Jesus, Peter, James, and John are by themselves, and for possibly the first time, they see Jesus begin to be very sad and troubled. What a red flag that should have been. "My heart is full of sorrow, to the point of death." Did they do anything at all to uplift and encourage Him? It just doesn't say.
Later He prays, "My Father, if it is possible, do not give Me this cup of suffering. But do what You want, not what I want." His fully human side fearing death? Possibly ... Or possibly His fully divine side shivering at the thought of taking on sin - not just one man's sin, but all of the sin of humanity, from Adam to our distant future - what a burden, especially for One who'd never known sin.
Again, He prays, "My Father, if it is not possible for this painful thing to be taken from Me, and if I must do it, I pray that what You want will be done."
I imagine that here it wasn't physical death that scared him or taking on the sin of the world ... perhaps it was losing His CONNECTION with God, which had to happen when God would turn His back on Him, loaded with all the sin of the world. How could One who'd always been vitally and intimately connected with His Father stand the separation that was about to occur? Death from a broken heart? Most likely.
Father, I wish that I could become so connected with You! Instead, like every other human, sickened by sin, my thoughts and actions all too often turn selfish - struggling for some minor perceived gain or to avoid some miniscule loss and in the course of it all never realizing the real loss I'm causing myself to suffer by intentionally choosing to sever, even for a moment, my connection with You. Sin causes us to major on the minors, Father. Teach me differently. Remind me what's really important - that connection to You.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
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