“While Jesus was here on earth, he offered prayers and pleadings, with a loud cry and tears, to the one who could deliver him out of death. And God heard his prayers because of his reverence for God.” Hebrews 5:7
How much do I love thee let me count the ways!
Number 2-Christ- “You are my Son of whom I love and there is no one who compares with You. You are the only one who can rescue these people from death. Because of that I am sending You into the world. You will be the visible image of Me.”
Over the next couple of days I am going to take you to several places. So I want you to imagine yourselves standing at each place. Open your heart and your mind, I don’t want you to miss this display of love that was shown for you and me.
Place number 1-The Olive Grove called Gethsemane
“He took Peter, James, and John with him, and he began to be filled with horror and deep distress. He told them, ‘My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and watch with me. He went on a little farther and fell face down on the ground. He prayed that, if it were possible, the awful hour awaiting him might pass him by,’ Abba, Father,’ he said, ‘everything is possible for you. Please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will, not mine.” Mark 14:32-36 Listen to how Luke describes this same moment. ”Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will, not mine.’ Then an angel from heaven appeared and strengthened him. He prayed more fervently, and he was in such agony of spirit that his sweat fell to the ground like great drops of blood.” Luke 22:42-44
The very hour was approaching and Jesus went and cried out expressing His true feelings to the Lord. Jesus did not in any way want to be separated from God; He did not want to face the unbelievable agony and pain He was about to. He was in so much agony His sweat fell to the ground like great drops of blood. We should be in that same state for those who are lost and even for ourselves if we have not accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior, or if we are living in sin. (Sin separates us from God)
Jesus was so selfless that in the midst of His deepest agony He wanted the Lord’s will to be done, even if that meant suffering and separation! I cannot even express in words right now how much impact Jesus’ prayer has on me. Just hearing Him crying out with so much grief and desperation and knowing that He was doing it all for you and me. How crazy am I to think for one minute I am not loved!
Jesus this very place in Gethsemane where You cried out showing Your truest feelings leaves me speechless. As I picture myself in this place I am left completely humbled and clueless at what this moment must have been like for You. Jesus it is a place where You showed us just how real and supernatural You are. In Your deepest agony Your love for me came out loud and clear. Jesus fill me with that same suffering for those who do not know You. Amen
