Alone
Notes
Transcript
The journey to the cross begins with Gethsemane. Only Matthew and Mark name the place, it’s implied to be on the Mount of Olives. In the Gospel of Luke it’s described simply as “the garden.” Traditionally it’s known as the “garden of Gethsemane.”
A few years ago it struck me how this “garden” is often depicted in films looking more like the haunted forest in the Wizard of Oz, or the Fire Swamp in The Princess Bride. Yet it was apparently a place Jesus and the disciples were familiar with. Some commentators suggest that it was a place they frequented to rest.
Whenever we’re reading our Bibles its good to put ourselves in the scene. What do you see? What do you hear? What do you smell? What do you feel and taste?
As I reflect on the garden, I wonder - as it was spring what flowers might have just begun to bloom? What smells? Could you hear a brook or stream near by? Were the birds just settling in for the night? Were there frogs or crickets?
Whatever Gethsemane was like for Jesus himself it was a time surrounded with his students, yet alone. He is in need of prayer and invites his students “to sit here while I go over there and pray.” And then he took his inner circle, Peter, James and John (the sons of Zebedee) and he asks them to keep watch with him.
And we read: Matthew 26:39
And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.”
“Let this cup pass from me.” any one of us facing a difficult challenge ahead might offer up the same prayer. We don’t want to go through the discipline, challenge, emotional storm of what lies ahead. Our desire is to avoid it.
I don’t know about you, but I take comfort in the fact Jesus was no different. Recently as we were doing our school of prayer series it was pointed out by one author that Jesus too had an unanswered prayer. He prayed, Matthew 26:39
And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me.”
This is a prayer request he asked for that he did not get.
His attitude however was much different as he adds at the end,
And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.”
Yes, this is what I want - AND though this is what I want, even more I want your will to be done.
He even says it a second time. Mt 26:42
Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.”
His friends couldn’t stay awake. What do we learn from this passage:
When you’re facing something hard: Pray.
Praying puts perspective on what it is we’re going through. Praying focuses us off of ourselves and back on God. This is the first and perhaps most important part. We talked about Ask, Seek, Knock. Asking is the first part of prayer. You still need to seek and knock.
Another thing we learn -
Just because its hard doesn’t mean it’s not God’s will.
Too often what we pray for is an easy life. We want the easy way.
I had a conversation this past week about how often we compare ourselves to others, we see someone who can play the piano so well, or is really good at technology, or is really skilled in Karate, or drawing art, etc. and we say, “I wish I could do that.”
What often separates those who succeed and those who don’t is their willingness to commit. Tom Brady is known for how strict his diet regimen was when he was playing. Michael Phelps was known for how much time he spent in the pool daily - often 4 hours or more.
My sister in high school was chasing her dream of becoming a dancer. She was spending up to 40 hours a week in classes chasing her dream. I still remember eating dinner as early as 4pm or as late as 10pm depending on her schedule. She went on to study with the Royal Academy of Ballet in England, and graduated from Cornish in Seattle with a Bachelors in Fine Arts. And she’s been teaching dance for decades sharing her love of dance with generations of young girls and boys.
As you face difficulties remember who is with you.
When we love Jesus, and keep His word, God the Father loves us as well, and promises to come and they promise to come and make their home with us. God goes with us. Jesus goes with us. The Holy Spirit is with us.
You do not go anywhere alone. In the Old Testament, Joshua is told by God, Joshua 1:9
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
The betrayal
The betrayal
In the second part of our passage we see Jesus betrayal and arrest. Again this is taking place in the setting where Jesus was praying.
Judas arrives with a great crowd with him carrying clubs and swords sent from the chief priests and the elders. And he had given this crowd a signal, “The one I will kiss is the man; seize him.”
The language here regarding Jesus “betrayer”. And he approaches Jesus: Mt 26:49
And he came up to Jesus at once and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” And he kissed him.
This is the betrayal, yet note how Jesus greets him. Mt 26:50
Jesus said to him, “Friend, do what you came to do.” Then they came up and laid hands on Jesus and seized him.
Friend! This is the epitome of the phrase, “With friends like these who needs enemies.” And indeed it ends up demonstrating great antagonism. They seize Jesus, and one of the disciples (according to John it was Peter) stretches out his hand and drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest cutting off his ear.
Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place. For all who take the sword will perish by the sword.
And I note the next part as very important for us to remember: Mt 26:53
Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels?
Do you remember the beginning of Jesus ministry? He was led out into the wilderness and tempted. One of the temptations the devil brings: Matthew 4:6 “and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, “ ‘He will command his angels concerning you,’ and “ ‘On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.’ ””
Jesus understood his purpose. He knew all of this needed to happen: Mt 26:54
But how then should the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must be so?”
But all this has taken place that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples left him and fled.
Note that haunting image at the end of our passage. Mt 26:56
Then all the disciples left him and fled.
In other words, and Jesus was alone. Alone with his captors. Alone with the antagonists. Alone with those against him.
And yet remember the promise - God will be with you.
What do we learn here?
Love your enemies is not just a phrase.
Imagine facing the one who is plotting against you and calling them friend. The example of Jesus definitely raises the bar.
Judas was not some radical conspirator antagonistic to Jesus teaching. He had been a part of his teaching for the past 3 years. He was one of Jesus’ students and had been there to hear his teaching and preaching, the healings, the miracles, the feeding of multitudes. Judas was a friend, AND he was his betrayer.
Following God can be lonely.
They say when things get hard you really find out who your friends are. We talked about it when we were making our journey through Job.
Perhaps that’s better put,
Following God will be lonely.
Jesus often spoke of denying oneself and taking up our cross and following Him.
He said, Luke 14:26 ““If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.”
Does he literally mean “hate”? Clearly, no, it’s a comparative statement. In comparison for my love for God my love for my family and even my own life is almost nothing. Lastly
God is the ultimate fulfilling of our desires.
God is the ultimate fulfilling of our desires because we were designed for relationship. We were created to be in relationship with God and with one another. In fact it would be our relationship with God that brings us together to love one another.
This Lent…
This Lent…
I want to challenge each of you to take time during this season to self examine. Ask yourself these questions:
How is your relationship with God?
Be honest. Is your faith where you really want it to be?
Are you willing to make the sacrifices necessary to get to where you want to be?
How is your relationship with God?
What disciplines do you want to practice?
All of us know, sort of intrinsically what disciplines will help us get where we say we want to be. What is one step you can take to get there? It’s not about arriving there now, it’s about seeking to be that 1% better today than you were yesterday.
How is your relationship with God?
What disciplines do you want to practice?
Do it!
Too often in our life we see what we want, we see what can help us get there, but then we don’t do anything about it. If you’re going to grow, you have to be willing to take a step.
How is your relationship with God?
What disciplines do you want to practice?
Do it!
Remember you don’t go alone!
Remember that you’re not doing this alone. God promises to be with you throughout the Scriptures. We as a church are here to encourage you. Get a friend to join you in the process. If there is a way I can assist you, just ask. It would be my distinct pleasure to support you in this.
Jesus was alone as the disciples scattered, but he was not alone in that God was with him. God is with you too, to God’s glory. AMEN
Alone
Alone
Let me pray for you.
