Parkwood Baptist Church

“Then the detachment of soldiers with its commander and the Jewish officials arrested Jesus.  They bound Him and brought Him first to Annas…the High Priest that year.” (John 18:12)

We must remember that the garden that night was filled with people that Jesus loved.  This simple place of solitude for our Savior was crowded with disciples, Roman soldiers, religious officials, and other people caught up in the frenzy of the arrest of this “notorious” rebel, Jesus.   And Jesus loved every one of them.  Not just the disciples who had dedicated themselves to His leadership but, the Jewish leaders who wanted His blood.  He loved the Roman soldiers who were just following orders by arresting another Jewish trouble maker.  The soldiers didn’t care.  The priests were jealous and hated Him.  The disciples loved Him and were afraid.

When I think about it I get mad at every one in the garden.  I am mad at the disciples for abandoning Him.  I get mad at the Jewish leaders for being so blind.  I get mad when I see how rough the soldiers treat Him even when He offers no resistance.  I even get mad at Jesus because He doesn’t resist.  He is way to calm.  In fact, there was only one calm voice in the garden that night.  There was one person who kept people from killing each other.  It was Jesus.  Why?   Because He loved every one in the garden that night.  He was going to die for the Roman soldier as well as the disciple.  He came to show love to the pharisee who hated Him as well as the fishermen who loved Him.

There are a lot of angry people in our world.  There are those who don’t care about you or your God.  There are some that would rather hate you than hug you.  And Jesus loves every one of them.  Suddenly the calm sense of peace and respect exhibited by Jesus in the garden makes more sense and His words from the cross come to mind, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they are doing.”  He loves us.  The good and the bad and the angry.

Can you allow Jesus to bring that calm into your world today?  Can you stand with Him and see the people around you as those He loves?  Can you allow your heart to break with His as He sees lives trapped in a world of hurt and sin?   And then, can you love them along with Him?  I cannot do it without Him.  I would guess that you can’t either.  So, pray that God would open your eyes today and that He would give you the strength and insight to see those around you as He sees them.

Blessings.

“And behold, one of those who were with Jesus reached and drew out his sword and struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his ear.” (Matthew 26:51)

“Then all the disciples left Him and fled.” (Matthew 26:56)

Science tells us that we are wired for certain responses as human beings.  We we encounter danger or circumstances that are threatening we choose “Fight or Flight”.  In other words, our adrenalin kicks in and we will either run away or attack.

We see this played out in the garden as Jesus is confronted with a mob armed with weapons ready to forcefully arrest Him.  The above Scriptures show the two responses of the disciples…fight and flight.  They, at first, rise up and one even ddraws a sword and attacks (In The Gospel of John we find out it is Peter).  They are quickly rebuked by Jesus.  No friends.  This is not how you should respond.  Well, that left them with the only other option, flight.  And they did.

I believe that Jesus was modeling for us that there is a third option…stand firm and trust the Father.  Granted, it is not in the science books as our natural tendancy but, we are encouraged throughout Scripture to take this stance when encountering hostle or challenging circumstances.  “Stand firm”, the Apostle Paul says to the Ephesians.

We are not called to fight fire with fire.  We are not to attack in the name of Jesus.  However, we are not called to run away either.  We are called to stand firm in our faith.  Trusting in our God to be with us.  We will not fear, as David said, “Even though I walk through the valley of death, I will fear no evil for You are with me.” (Psalm 23).

So, today, when circumstances get rocky stand firm.  God has your back.  You don’t have to run and hide and you, certainly, should not fight.  The challenge is to stand in the grace that is yours through Jesus and give a testimony of His work in you.  This is what Jesus did in the garden.  He was the only one.  Everyone else fought and ran.  He stood there.

He stood there for you.

Blessings!

“Keep watching and praying that you may not come into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Mark 14:38)

These words spoken to the disciples in the garden hit close to home for all of us. There is a battle that we often wrestle with when our desire to do the right thing clashes with our desire for comfort. The disciples were tired. You can’t blame them. It has been a long day filled with emotion and confusion. Now they are in a quiet warm dark place and Jesus wants them to pray.  Soon they are asleep.  Jesus awakens them several times but they cannot keep their eyes open.  Can you relate?

Sometimes the schedules take over and we are pushing aside the things that are important for the things that are urgent.  The worries and cares of this world trump the concerns and callings of the Kingdom of God.  Sometimes it’s just hard to keep your eyes open.

“The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

The physical exhaustion of the disciples represents more than just being tired.  I believe that they wanted to stay awake.  I am sure that they were committed to Jesus and were “willing” to pray with Him.  However, it was more than they could bear.  The flesh was “weak”.  How embarrassing.  How disappointing.  How discouraging.  “I’m sorry Jesus, I couldn’t do it.  I could not stay awake.  Please forgive me.”

“The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

Part of our journey to the cross is the realization that we are weak and cannot accomplish even the simplest request. We are tired. It is too much to ask. What can we do?

“The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

Jesus gives us the key to overcoming this dilemma. “Watch and pray”. So simple. What can I do when the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak? Watch and pray.

Jesus says, “I know you are tired…watch and pray. I know you are overwhelmed and it seems more than you can bear…but, watch and pray.”

“‘Abba, Father’, He said, ‘everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.'” (Mark 14:36)

This short prayer offered by our Lord in the garden is the most powerful prayer in Scripture.   The circumstances alone make us sit up and take notice.  What will He say?   What will He ask for in this dark time?  I believe that we can learn much about prayer in these few words and it can give us guidance in our prayers when encountering difficult and even desparate situations.

First, Jesus is intimate with God.  “Father” or “Abba” is recorded in Scripture.  The disciples noticed this intimacy early on when they asked Him to teach them to pray.  He instructed them to start, “Our Father…”  This was also noticed by the priests who felt that such intimacy was not proper.   However, the Scriptures tell us and Jesus modeled for us that effective prayer comes from the heart.

Second, He acknowledged that God was in control and could do anything.  Sometimes we pray as if there are things that God can’t do.  Did you know that He can straighten out any mess?  He can turn your biggest mistakes into victories.  “everything is possible”.

Third, Jesus let His desire be known.  Who else could He tell.  This struggle with what was about to happen was real within Jesus.  He was not some sort of pain lover that wanted to suffer and He was not afraid to let the Father know that this was a hard path.

Then came the hardest part of His prayer and ours prayers today, “Thy will be done”.  To yield to the direction, wisdom, and will of God no matter what.  No matter if it makes sense.  No matter if it is inconvenient.  No matter if it is not what you want.  This is true faith.  It is true relationship.  It is true worship.

Many of us are going into hard places today.  Share your concerns from the heart with a God who is your Father.  Let Him know what you see, how you feel and what your desire is.  Then, trust Him to the utmost by praying “not my will, but your will be done”.

Blessings.

“Then He said to them, ‘My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.'” (Matthew 26:38)

The suffering of Jesus started before the physical pain of the passion event.  Before the beatings and the torture of being nailed to the cross, He suffered.  Jesus shares in the quietness of the garden that He is “overwhelmed with sorrow”.   His heart was breaking.  Those who He loved were still separated from Him.  There was only one way to restore this relationship.  This is so hard.  It is too much.  Why doesn’t He just walk away?  His struggle has brought Him to the point of death before a hand has been laid on Him.  However, He doesn’t ask His disciples to quickly help Him escape from the garden.  He chooses to stay.  He only asks that they stay with Him and pray.  He knows what is at stake.   It is His love for the world that brings the resolve to go to the end.  “For God so loved the world that He gave His only son…” (John 3:16).

Today, as you meditate on what Jesus has done for you, remember that He loved you enough to stay in the garden.  His love for you is so deep and so intense that the thought of being being separated from you was worse than what He was about to face.  All that was human was wanting another way but all that was divine knew there was only one way.  It was tearing Him up inside but you were worth it.

“Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and His disciples followed Him.” (Luke 22:39)

As they observed an emotional passover meal the disciples probably did not realize that it was to be their last supper together.  Quietly Jesus got up from the table and made His way to the door and slowly down the stairs.  The disciples followed.  The verse above lets us know that this was not strange to them or Jesus.  He went out “as usual” to the Garden of Gethsemane on the Mount of Olives.   This must have been a special place for Jesus.  A favorite spot soon to become the location of the most infamous betrayal in all of history.  Why this special place?  Why destroy the peaceful serenity of a garden with such a deliberate act of rebellion?  Maybe it shouldn’t be such a surprise.  Maybe it is all too familiar.  After all, in the beginning, God and His people gathered in a garden and fellowship was broken by our rebellion.

On our journey to the cross today can we find ourselves going into the garden with Jesus?  A place of peace .  A place of prayer.  A place of preparation.  For Jesus this garden was a place that would give Him the strength and resolve to take it through to the end.  Will we follow Him into the garden?

I want to challenge you to read the story.  Hear His prayer.  Listen to the call from our Lord to “keep watch and pray”.

O Lord, today I want to follow you into the garden.  I am here.  I desire to keep watch with you.  My day today will be filled with many distraction and cluttered with the noise of this world.  But quiet my soul in the midst of it all that I might see you clearly.  Show me.  Reveal Yourself to me.  I want to be still and know that you are God.  I will follow you into the garden.  Prepare me for what is ahead.  I am yours.  Amen.

“For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” (1 Corinthians 1:18)

It does seem rather foolish that we would celebrate the cross.  Even more that we would look at it and see the “power of God”.  It does not make sense to the human mind.  The cross was a symbol of death, weakness and failure in the first century.  For the disciples it must have represented a premature ending to a thriving ministry.  But, to those who believe…power.

The disciples soon came to understand that the cross represented sacrifice and selfless love.  It was God providing forgiveness, stability, and strength to a world that He loves (John 3:16).  It was God breaking into our world to decisively take back what was rightfully His.  It was God clearing the way for a restored relationship between Creator and creation.

He was broken so you could be whole again.  He gave His life so that you could have life abundantly.  Today give thanks to God for the cross and the love that was behind it.

Thank you, Lord Jesus for your sacrifice.  Thank you for loving me.  Thank you for healing my broken heart.  Thank you for forgiving me.  I am yours this day.  Have your way with me.  Amen.

As we prepare our hearts to take this journey we should begin by presenting ourselves to the Lord. This can be as simple as offering a prayer that asks God to have His way with you during this time of meditation. This invites God to walk with you during this time and it helps you get into the right frame of mind as you get started. Here is a prayer that I found helpful.

“O God, You are the Creator and I am your creation. You are the Lord and I am your servant. You are the Father and I am your child. Therefore, what would you have me to learn during this season of prayer and meditation? What would you have me to do as a daily reminder of your of mercy and grace? Transform me and have your way with me during this time of lent. I long to know you better. I also want to be known by you. I want to be a part of what you are doing in this world around me. I long to be a vessel that is useful to you in the work of your Kingdom. Open my eyes during this season of lent. Let me see your work around me in a fresh way. Reveal yourself to me. Nourish me. Fill me. Bless me.”
Amen.

Yesterday we began our road to the cross and our preparation for the Easter celebration. Officially this Wednesday is Ash Wednesday which begins the season of “lent”. Among the early Christians it was a period of intense instruction for those who were considering faith in Christ. It would finish with a baptism celebration on Easter weekend. The church today has kept the tradition by observing the 40 days before Easter (not including Sundays) as a time of preparation and reflection for all believers.

Our challenge is to reflect on the work of God through the death and resurrection of Jesus and re-commit ourselves to live our lives in light of His sacrifice.

Many do this by fasting or sacrificing a certain food or activity. Some add a daily reading or prayer to their schedule. Others will carry a reminder with them that turns their thoughts to Christ frequently. Whatever the discipline, the purpose is the same…a daily reminder of the love that God has for us and demonstrated on that first Easter.

I hope that this blog could be a useful tool to you during this time. I will be posting daily thoughts or prayers that will focus us on God’s work in our lives. May God bless you on this journey and may He draw you closer to Him during this lenten season.

Blessings!