Choices are for the Living
Jesus Agonizes in the Garden
Mark 14:32-38, “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 that 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 turned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Simon, he said to Peter, “are you asleep? Could you not keep watch for one hour? Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”
Readers, I noticed something very interesting about this scripture there had to be a day before this night. This night brought about such agony, such distress, and such trouble within the soul of Jesus. Do you think Jesus ever dreaded the “next day?” Have you ever known that something was going to happen the “next day” and dreaded the process of living out that day out? Many times in my life I have known the “next day” was going to bring about such pain in my life, for an example; after my mom died there was a “next day” to endure, same goes for the day after my brother died, and again when my dad died. I have dreaded many “next days” in my life but I know how I chose to handle the next day in my life depends on how I chose to handle the day before. Jesus did something amazing that evening in the garden he tried to teach three of his disciples how to go through the evening before the “next day.” Remember, Jesus told eight of his disciples to wait while he went to pray but Jesus told Peter, James, and John to watch and pray. Jesus told them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death,” “Stay here and keep watch.” Jesus walked off in the distance but within ear shot of the three disciples and he began to ask his Father to let the hour (the appointed time) pass him by. Jesus also asked that the cup (God’s wrath) be lifted away from his lips, but yet not my will but your will be done. Then Jesus returned to his disciples to find them asleep, taking a cat nap, if you will while Jesus was agonizing in the garden. What was the question Jesus asked them? “ARE YOU ASLEEP?” If you read on in scriptures the disciples fell asleep three times and the last time Jesus said, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough! The hour has come. Look, the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!”
Readers, there is a great lesson to gleam from the question Jesus asked them, Are you still sleeping? Many times we are sleeping spiritually when Jesus is trying to teach us a life lesson. Jesus was showing the disciples how to handle the “next day” in their lives but they were too concerned with their napping than learning a lesson of a life time. There will always be a “next day” in your life until your finale day here on earth, the question is; are you sleeping when you should be praying? Could you not keep watch for an hour? I think as believers we don’t take praying seriously enough. Jesus said, “Watch and pray so you don’t fall into temptation.” The “next day,” in our lives can cause temptations just ask any reformed drug addict, or compulsive eater, shopper, someone trying to walk in love, or someone addicted to pornography? I can’t begin to tell you how many times I have heard people blame God for things that He didn’t do but only allowed. People are tempted to accuse God for their choices. My brother died in a car accident under the influence of drugs and alcohol, many questioned God, I would hear them say, “Why did God kill Richard?” but we have choices to make and consequences for our choices God did not kill my brother but he allowed the consequence of his choice. My dad whom I mention earlier, also died in a car wreck under the influence of alcohol, again God allowed the consequences for his choice. Many have turned away from God because of misplaced blame…The next time you’re tempted to blame God for what’s happening in your life ask yourself one question, is this happening because of a choice I made? Everything that happens is a choice; it happens because of a choice you made, or a choice someone else has made. CHOICES ARE FOR THE LIVING ONCE YOUR DEAD THE CHOICE IS OVER. What was Jesus lesson that evening in the garden? Watch, pray and stay awake in the spirit so that you don’t fall into temptation, but once again this is your choice to make, your life to live, your purpose to discover because there will be a “next day” until it’s your last.
photo credit gcaptain.com
Readers, there is a great lesson to gleam from the question Jesus asked them, Are you still sleeping? Many times we are sleeping spiritually when Jesus is trying to teach us a life lesson. Jesus was showing the disciples how to handle the “next day” in their lives but they were too concerned with their napping than learning a lesson of a life time. There will always be a “next day” in your life until your finale day here on earth, the question is; are you sleeping when you should be praying? Could you not keep watch for an hour? I think as believers we don’t take praying seriously enough. Jesus said, “Watch and pray so you don’t fall into temptation.” The “next day,” in our lives can cause temptations just ask any reformed drug addict, or compulsive eater, shopper, someone trying to walk in love, or someone addicted to pornography? I can’t begin to tell you how many times I have heard people blame God for things that He didn’t do but only allowed. People are tempted to accuse God for their choices. My brother died in a car accident under the influence of drugs and alcohol, many questioned God, I would hear them say, “Why did God kill Richard?” but we have choices to make and consequences for our choices God did not kill my brother but he allowed the consequence of his choice. My dad whom I mention earlier, also died in a car wreck under the influence of alcohol, again God allowed the consequences for his choice. Many have turned away from God because of misplaced blame…The next time you’re tempted to blame God for what’s happening in your life ask yourself one question, is this happening because of a choice I made? Everything that happens is a choice; it happens because of a choice you made, or a choice someone else has made. CHOICES ARE FOR THE LIVING ONCE YOUR DEAD THE CHOICE IS OVER. What was Jesus lesson that evening in the garden? Watch, pray and stay awake in the spirit so that you don’t fall into temptation, but once again this is your choice to make, your life to live, your purpose to discover because there will be a “next day” until it’s your last.
Choices are for the Living…dipping my toe in the Jordan expecting a miracle.
For prayer or questions please feel free to email me at fbministries@comcast.net
To order my books, “Ripened on the Vine,” a true story about my life, or “From My heart to Yours Devotional,” or if you would like to listen to my teachings on audio go to fbministries.com
No comments:
Post a Comment