Steve’s Devotional - The Difficulty of Acceptance

Maybe it’s cancer. Maybe it’s divorce. Maybe you have a son or daughter who’s turned away from God. Maybe you have a friend who betrayed you. Maybe you’re close to bankruptcy. Whatever it is, Mark 14:32-42 shows Jesus in a more painful predicament. In the Garden of Gethsemane, Christ faces a soon and horrible death on the cross. Even his friends—Peter, James and John—refuse to stand by him. They can’t even stay awake as Christ pleads with his Father to “take this cup from me.” As Christians, our model is Jesus Christ. In fact, there is probably no better way to deal with our circumstances than to see how Christ dealt with his, then go and do likewise.

Jesus was realistic in dealing with his terrible circumstances. Jesus didn’t hide or hide from what was happening to him. Rather, he was “deeply distressed and troubled,” saying to those with him, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death.”

We simply don’t know what Jesus went through at this time. Part of it was the fear of death and physical suffering. Part of it was that on the cross, Jesus was soon to be separated from the Father because of our sins. Whatever the full extent of Christ’s pain, something went on deep inside that was supernatural and horrific…something we can’t even begin to comprehend.

There are two great dangers in the Christian life. The first is to build mountains where there are no mountains. The second is to pretend there are no mountains where there are mountains everywhere. We are dealing here with the second of those dangers.

Mark 14:32- 42 "And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane: and he saith to his disciples, Sit ye here, while I shall pray. And he taketh with him Peter and James and John, and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy; And saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch. And he went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt. And he cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, Simon, sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one hour? Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak. And again he went away, and prayed, and spake the same words. And when he returned, he found them asleep again, (for their eyes were heavy,) neither wist they what to answer him. And he cometh the third time, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: it is enough, the hour is come; behold, the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise up, let us go; lo, he that betrayeth me is at hand."

Romans 8:28 "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."

Isaiah 41:10 " Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness."

Thank God he gave us a realistic worldview in his Word, one where things really do hurt and trials really are hard; yet he is always there with us.

>In the Garden of Gethsemane, Christ faces a soon and horrible death on the cross.<

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What we seem to forget is that Jesus, from the moment He reached the age of awareness (5 years old?), was cognizant of His life and death on the cross.

He was a tougher Hombre than all of us combined.

I needed this lesson now.

I have two jobs. I am the web designer at our school. I also teach six grade. Earlier this week or director have me a list of jobs to post on the site. The number two job was for a sixth grade teacher.

I thought I was doing a good job. I guess I am not. He never discussed this with me, and he has yet to do so.

“What them shall we say to these things. If God is for us, who is against us.”

I needed this lesson now.

I thought I was doing a good job. I guess I am not. He never discussed this with me, and he has yet to do so.

“What them shall we say to these things. If God is for us, who is against us.”

Man, that’s tough. I’ll be praying for you.

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