Invited
November 5, 2020 by Cheri Cowell
Filed under Daily Devotions, Worship
By Cheri Cowell –
Twenty-four hour news coverage is wonderful when something big is happening and we need to know what’s going on, but sometimes it can be so intrusive. Such is the case when a tragedy strikes and a camera is shoved in the faces of grieving parents who just discovered their child is never coming home. Or a heartbroken husband caught between his anger that his wife’s life was brutally ended and the news reporter’s request for a compassionate response to the search party volunteers. At times like these I want to turn my head, turn off the TV, or change the channel. I feel like we are intruding into someone’s personal and private anguish.
I feel the same way when I enter the garden where Jesus is praying in Gethsemane. It is almost too painful to watch, to personal a moment to intrude upon, too private a moment for us to be a part of. But we are invited there. We are invited to see all that human suffering and anguish can bear. We are invited in to see and to experience.
Can you imagine yourself there in the garden with Jesus that night? Picture what His demeanor must have been, what His clothes looked like. Was the night air still or was there a breeze? Can you hear the noise of the city in the background? Can you smell the scent of spring in the air? As Jesus prays, is He speaking aloud? Is He angry with God or pleading? Does He sound like He’s talking with someone He knows well, and who knows Him well? Look closely now as Jesus struggles with the decision. Don’t turn away. Look into His eyes. See the pain, and yet feel the love. This is the love He has for you and for me.
PRAYER: God, as I read the Scripture today, allow my prayers to be filled less with words and more with emotions as I pour out my awe and gratitude to You who loves me so.
“He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground” (Luke 22:39-46 NIV).
Cheri Cowell is the author of the new Bible study, Parables and Word Pictures of the New Testament: Following God series http://www.CheriCowell.com
Wow. Yes, Cheri. Actually I can understand the disciples “retreat” to dreamland while Jesus is going through this. Who can stand to hear/watch a loved one weep and go through such emotional pain, knowing there’s absolutely nothing you can do to relieve their agony? Easier to turn away and cover your ears.
I hate to admit that I would have been right there with Peter. Sleep is my stress default. This is certainly a difficult part of the story to read and even more difficult to place ourselves within.
Thanks for writing.
Thanks for helping us “see” the Garden of Gethsemane, Cheri. God did not have to let us know about the Garden experience, but it was beneficial to us to understand what the cross would cost His Son, and the inner struggle that He overcame for love.
I like how you put this. What a privilege to “see” our Savior’s humanity and divinity in one act of love.
Thanks for writing.