In the Garden

 
I am currently using the devotional,
"On Calvary's Hill" by Max Lucado
for my morning devotional during Lent.
I recommend it!

This morning's entry,
"In the Garden",
was based on Mark 14: 32-36:

 And they came to an olive grove called Gethsemane,

and Jesus said,

"Sit here while I go pray."

He took Peter, James, and John with Him,

and He began to be filled with horror and deep distress.

He told them,

"My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death.

Stay here and watch with me."

He went on a little farther and fell face down on the ground.

He prayed that,

if it were possible,

the awful hour awaiting Him might pass Him by.

"Abba, Father," He said,

"everything is possible for You.

Please take this cup of suffering away from me.

Yet I want your will, not mine."

Imagine it.

Not the pretty picture with which we are familiar!

Not the serene Jesus kneeling, hands folded, 

halo shining, whispering a gentle prayer at the rock.

No!

The anguished,

     horrified,

          passionate,

               heart-breaking,

                    sweat drops of blood,

                         prostrate on the ground,

                              fists clenched,

                                   begging,

                                         pleading

prayers that I myself have shouted out!

The yearning so deep there were no words,

     only groans!

The disappointment and hurt and sorrow

so intense it was physical!     

The loss,

     the longing for another way,

          a different outcome,

               evident in the tear-stained struggle.

And finally,

the acceptance,    

the willingness,          

the love of us,              

of me,                   

that was greater                        

than the dread of torture and death.                             

That is the "Garden" prayer I read about this morning.

In the Garden.

Alone.

For me.

     For Al.

          For Harlan.

               For Michael.

                    For Joann.

                         For Christi.

                              For Karen.

                                   For Lauri.

                              For Darlene.

                         For Sandra.

                    For Joy.

               For Hester.

          For Donna.

     For all of us!

Every last one!

Thank You, Jesus!

You do understand!

The Lord is my strength and my shield;

my heart trusts in Him,

and He helps me.

My heart leaps for joy,

and with my song I praise Him.

                                                                 ~~ Psalm28:7 NIV ~~