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Preparing Our Hearts to Celebrate the Resurrection

 

 

 

 

 

Tuesday, March 27, 2018 (Part 9 of 14)
Read Mark 14:32-42 (The Garden of Gethsemane). Click HERE for a link to the text.
PAUSE, WATCH, LISTEN & PRAY

Distressed, troubled, sorrowful.  These are the words that are used to describe Jesus while he was in the Garden of Gethsemane. When we reflect back on these days leading up to Jesus’ crucifixion we should stop in awe of two things in particular.

1. The Father sent the Son knowing that He would experience these emotions. As a father myself, it would crush me to know that one of my daughters had this in their future. I wince when I think of the possibility and yet, I know there is nothing I can do to prevent these inevitable emotions from surfacing in this corrupt world.  On the other hand, the Creator of the Universe willingly chose to allow this to occur. Why? The Creator of the Universe cared for us to such an extent, that He was willing to allow this to happen. That is a disproportionate amount of compassion delivered on our behalf, and that is exactly why it is called GRACE.

2. The Son also knew what his future held. He mentions throughout his ministry what his inevitable end will look like.  As the day drew near, the reality began to sink in.  It is here that Jesus requests of the Father a stay of execution, or rather, an alternate means.  “Abba, Father, all things are possible for you.  Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” – Mark 14:36. But there was no other option, no other means by which the salvation of mankind could occur. Jesus knowing this, relents to the Father’s will and it is here that we see clearly the fully human nature of Jesus revealed. He had explained and demonstrated that he was fully God throughout his public ministry, but now, in the end, we see him distinguish between his will and the Father’s will. It is in this explanation that we see Jesus’ human nature fully revealed and it is this human nature that is exactly what makes him the only acceptable sacrifice for our sins. The author of Hebrews explains this further, “Therefore he [Jesus] had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.” – Hebrews 2:17

As we continue to prepare our hearts for Easter, would you spend time reflecting on the human nature of Jesus:

Reflect on his willingness to suffer on our behalf.
Reflect on the real sorrow he felt.
Reflect on the pain that the Father must have been going through to watch his Son experience this.
Reflect on our daily sins; the sins that were the catalyst for these actions.