In the Garden

TRANSCRIPT

You wake with a start. Rubbing your eyes you collect your thoughts. After Passover you went to a garden where Jesus asked you to pray for him. But you weren’t really sure what you were supposed to be praying about. What does Jesus need prayer for? Isn’t he the Messiah? It was late so you couldn’t help but fall asleep. You look around now and everyone else is sleeping too. But where’s Jesus? You peer through the trees and see him a small ways off. You lean closer for a better look and find that He’s praying, but He’s also...weeping! You see heavy sobs shaking His body and notice the ground around Him is stained red. Is that blood? 

You stumble back, confused and saddened. What could be tormenting Him so deeply? It’s as if He's carrying the weight of the world on His shoulders. You still remember how His eyes were full of love and peace when He rescued you from the storm - He was so reassuring then, but as you see Him grieving now your heart hurts.

You hear Jesus cry out to heaven, “God, my Father! Is there any other way for your will to be accomplished? Can the sacrifice you require come by any other means? Does it have to be me, like this? Let this cup pass from Me! This is my heart’s aching desire. Nevertheless, not my will, but your perfect, loving, good will be done the way you know is best. I trust you, Father.”

It was on this night 2,000 years ago, God was willing to place the weight of the world - the imperfections and sins of every person - on His perfect Son Jesus; and Jesus - out of the love He has for you - accepted that burden.

Have you ever felt like the weight of the world rested on your shoulders? Maybe you’re burdened by business decisions because of your coworkers: their families depend on you to provide their paychecks. Or perhaps you have children, siblings, parents, or other loved ones depending on you to care for their needs. You feel as though everything depends on you - your time, your energy, your “enough-ness”. Would you like to release those burdens to someone who cares for you, who is more than enough for you? You can still cast all those burdens and concerns on Jesus today. The same loving arms that rescued you from the storm will gladly receive your burdens because He cares deeply for you.