Devotional - April 13, 2022
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
An audio recording of last Sunday's service can be found on our website: https://www.citrusspringscongregational.org
Deacon's Meeting on Thursday, April 14th at 10:00 AM.
Holy Week Service on Thursday, April 14th at 4:00 PM.
Bible Study at 10 am. on Wednesday
Choir practice Friday at 11:00 AM
Luke 22: 39-45
Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. On reaching the place, he said to them, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.” 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. When he rose from prayer and went back to the disciples, he found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow.
We have two prayers in today's text. In the first prayer, Jesus asks His disciples to pray and in the second He prays. Much is made of the second prayer and rightly so, but Jesus' request of His disciples gets little attention. And, why is that? Jesus tells His disciple to pray because He knows they are about to go through a very trying time. A time in which they will be tempted to react in all sorts of ways. Jesus tells them to pray about it before it happens so as to be ready. Unfortunately, they do not rise to the occasion. When He returns, He finds them asleep. They are exhausted by the difficulties and hardships they have already faced. At this point, the awkward moment with Judas at the table has already occurred and they know something is amiss. Especially, when Jesus' dismissed Judas with the words, what you are going to do, do quickly (John 13:27). By this time, it was no secret Judas was not in line with Jesus or the disciples. Now, Jesus is alone with them and He needs them to step up and start grounding their personal relationship with God so as to be ready for what will soon take place. Both Jesus and His disciples will soon encounter tribulation, a situation that will be very difficult to endure. Jesus knows their and our hearts. When satan tempted Jesus in the desert, Jesus responded through His faithfulness to God. Unlike the disciples who were more prone to arguing about issues concerning who would be first in the Kingdom of God. Jesus encourages them to pray. Jesus encourages us to pray. Why some folk recoil at the idea, I do not know. The world is bigger than we are and the situations we find therein follow suit. Regardless of the difficulties, God is able to support us even when we are experiencing the negative consequences of our actions. Today, Jesus is making a call for preemptive measures. We all have times when we wished we would have done things differently. Had we taken time to pray, clearly perceived the situation, weighed our response, much regret could have been avoided in our life. The question is, can we hear Jesus now as He calls us to a life of prayer with God?
What follows, is a look into Jesus' prayer life. I like the reference used to depict the distance Jesus moves beyond them to pray, a stone's throw. So, depending on how far you think the person, or yourself, can throw a stone, will determine how far He withdrew from them. Notice the word, withdrew. It means to remove or take away something from a place or position, and I will add, situation. The wisdom Jesus teaches through His actions speaks volumes. There are books on the subject. Suffice it to say, withdrawing either physically or psychologically to deal with a situation can be a wise choice. All too often, people lose control or become prideful due to getting stuck, or staying in, a situation. What follows cannot be undone. But, Jesus does more than just teach us the power of separation to gain perspective. He has perspective. He clearly perceives the situation at hand and where He stands in it. And within that, He also knows where God is positioned. In His address to God, He knows God can alter coming events. Here is where we need a little more insight to understand the prayer. Jesus is not addressing the situation in general. He specifically cites the cup as the focus of His prayer. By referencing the cup, Jesus was referring to a commonly held belief that God's wrath or judgement was poured out of a cup or poured out like one would dump the contents of a cup. Jesus was praying against the action God was about to deploy. But true to His own word when He taught us to pray, He ends with, Your (Thy) will be done. Jesus knows the goodness and righteousness of God, and come what may, that is His prayer, Your will be done. He receives His answer when the angel comes and strengthens Him. We can interpret the angel as an actual being or metaphorically as a message (angel) from God that strengthens Him. And, He continues on to vigorously, and with deep emotion, pray about the situation. Actually, against the situation. What a concept, God actually gives Him the power to struggle with and pray about the situation. Then, He gathers Himself, and with resolution carries on. There is nothing wrong with struggling with God. Jacob does it in the Old Testament on the banks of the Jabbok (Gen 32:22-32), and though painful, was blessed by it. All too often we want a sterile environment in which to live our spiritual life; our life with God. When everything is in it's rightful place and all is quiet, that means all is well. Well, ...I do not need to tell you how far that is from the truth, even though it is what we think sometimes. God's love far supersedes any chaos or confusion that we find ourselves facing in this life, regardless of the cause.
Jesus teaches us, when possible, to withdraw, pray, and then enter, or re-enter, into the situation with God. To be preemptive, through prayer, to situations we face in life. How else do we ever think we will see God moving in our life. Yes, God's love is always active in our life, but through prayer, you can have a better understanding of it. And sometimes the old saying, prayer may not change your situation, but it will change you rings true. Yet, to persevere with poise is a powerful testimony and much needed example for today's world.
Pray with me..., Gracious God, how often we wonder why? During this holy week, our anger at life and the world seems to be pushed even further, and we are tired. Grant us some time to withdraw unto You. Give us strength to struggle, to resolve the issues we face. Bless our loved ones this week in accordance with their needs. Bless their and our celebration of Easter. May Your Spirit be strong in our church as we celebrate Your resurrection! In Jesus name, Amen.
God's peace,
Pastor Brian
