And He said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for You. Take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will.” Mark 14:36
Passion week is about the love of God through Jesus Christ demonstrated on a Roman cross (Romans 5:8). Everyone needs to be loved. Love is essential to healthy and resilient human existence, especially parental love. Parental love shapes how children respond to life’s circumstances and crises. Hearing the words “I love you” is transformational, both affirming one’s existence and building a character that embodies loving relationships. Jesus went into the Garden of Gethsemane to pray because he was in deep distress. He had his disciples with him, even his inner circle, Peter, James, and John. However, the only relationship that could sustain him at this moment was his desire to hear the affirming voice of His loving Father (Matt 3:17; Mark 9:7) and to please him (John 4:34) ultimately. In the darkest moments of our lives, what should keep us going is knowing that we are under the loving protection of the Father’s will.
Psalm 118:8 celebrates the eternal truth that it is better to put our trust in the LORD than to put our confidence in man. Earthly support systems can be limited and even be exhausted, but our loving Father never sleeps nor slumbers. Everything around us can fail and fall miserably, but our God and Father are the same yesterday, today, and forevermore. He promised never to leave nor forsake us and has a character and reputation that speaks of his unwavering faithfulness and love. Like Jesus, in the Garden, we can be under the pressure of righteous living. Jesus depended upon his relationship with the Father that was beyond words. Yes, even in the Father’s silence, His perfect will can become clear to listening hearts.
Acceptance by the Father affords us great opportunity to be kind and compassionate to others. Resentment, grudges, and revenge are symptoms of hurt and pain of the past. In the Garden and on the Cross, Jesus Christ remained faithful to his purpose. He demonstrated grace for failure and forgiveness for the spiritually blind and condemned. Forgiven in Christ means the past has no power over us, and the fruit of this new living experience should be kindness with a growing capacity for forgiveness toward others.
Even nailed to a Roman cross of shame, Christ’s life continued to provide for the world a consistent message of faith, hope, and greater love. His communion with the Father was essential in a crisis. His dependence on the word of God and its promises was living water for his thirsty soul. His appetite was satisfied by accomplishing the Father’s will and finishing all the work he was sent to do. He finished his earthly assignment well and prepared his heart for returning home carried by the Father’s hand. When we are living in the will of God, we can expect distress, struggles, suffering, persecution, and opposition; they are our bitter cup and our cross we must bear. Now thanks be to God that our weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning. Hallelujah, Sunday is coming!
Because He lives,
Pastor Reggie Sheppard