It's Me Again God 2

118. Gethsemane

It's me again God,

I was just reflecting how excited everyone is for Good Friday here in our community. For many, it seems very good indeed as it's a long, long weekend with Easter Monday on the other side and great opportunities for people to go off camping or doing home improvement projects or here in Sydney, to attend the big Easter Show! Many are completely oblivious to the fact that it's all about You Jesus because the focus is completely shifted to hot cross buns and the giving and receiving of huge amounts of chocolate eggs and bunnies!

I am thankful that as a Christian in this country, I can attend church and remember Your sacrifice. Please touch me with Your Spirit In a fresh way and allow me to see Your sacrifice in a new light. Prepare me for the preaching of Your Word tomorrow and on Sunday.

Going through Mark in these morning devotions has been great but I know that today things get very serious! Everything has been leading to this time
and my tears fall as I think of You in distress and deeply troubled about what You would have to do for me:

"They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, "Sit here while I pray." He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death," he said to them. "Stay here and keep watch." Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. "Abba, Father," he said, "everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will." Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. "Simon," he said to Peter, "are you asleep? Couldn't you keep watch for one hour? Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak." Once more he went away and prayed the same thing. When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. They did not know what to say to him. Returning the third time, he said to them, "Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough! The hour has come. Look, the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!"

Just as he was speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, appeared. With him was a crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests, the teachers of the law, and the elders. Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: "The one I kiss is the man; arrest him and lead him away under guard." Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, "Rabbi!" and kissed him. The men seized Jesus and arrested him. Then one of those standing near drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear. "Am I leading a rebellion," said Jesus, "that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I was with you, teaching in the temple courts, and you did not arrest me. But the Scriptures must be fulfilled." Then everyone deserted him and fled."
‭‭Mark‬ ‭14:32-50‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Thank You Jesus for desiring to do Your Father's will, even though Your soul was overwhelmed to the point of death! It's hard to imagine how You must have felt because already, those closest to You, could not even keep watch while You were praying! You warned them to watch and pray so they would not fall into temptation —a great warning for us now too!

How heartbreaking it must have been to see Judas betray You, even though You already knew this would happen. Scripture was being fulfilled!

"They took Jesus to the high priest, and all the chief priests, the elders and the teachers of the law came together. Peter followed him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. There he sat with the guards and warmed himself at the fire. The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death, but they did not find any. Many testified falsely against him, but their statements did not agree. Then some stood up and gave this false testimony against him: "We heard him say, 'I will destroy this temple made with human hands and in three days will build another, not made with hands.' " Yet even then their testimony did not agree. Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus, "Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?" But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer. Again the high priest asked him, "Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?" "I am," said Jesus. "And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven." The high priest tore his clothes. "Why do we need any more witnesses?" he asked. "You have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?" They all condemned him as worthy of death. Then some began to spit at him; they blindfolded him, struck him with their fists, and said, "Prophesy!" And the guards took him and beat him.

While Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest came by. When she saw Peter warming himself, she looked closely at him. "You also were with that Nazarene, Jesus," she said. But he denied it. "I don't know or understand what you're talking about," he said, and went out into the entryway. When the servant girl saw him there, she said again to those standing around, "This fellow is one of them." Again he denied it. After a little while, those standing near said to Peter, "Surely you are one of them, for you are a Galilean." He began to call down curses, and he swore to them, "I don't know this man you're talking about." Immediately the rooster crowed the second time. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken to him: "Before the rooster crows twice you will disown me three times." And he broke down and wept."
‭‭Mark‬ ‭14:53-72‬ ‭NIV‬‬

This is such a disturbing scene because I see the agony You had to endure for me. It started before Your crucifixion.  At every moment You could have decided to get out of there and gone straight back to the Father —but You didn't. I used to think it was terrible that Peter denied knowing You but I know that sadly I would have probably done the same thing in those frightening circumstances. Peter's tears are mine too!

I am so sad for my sin that led to this situation You were in Jesus but I am so thankful You didn't change Your mind but endured each moment that led You to the cross —because of love.

Later today I will have a look at the prayer You prayed in the garden of Gethsemane, as recorded by John in Chapter 17.  It connects me with this time as You not only prayed for Your disciples but those who would believe in You in the future.  In that moment, You were praying for me and preparing to give up Your life for me. Thank You that I can look forward to Good Friday because of all You did for me!

In Your precious Name,
Amen.