I read last week that one outcome of the coronavirus pandemic is that prayer across the world has skyrocketed. At the same time, Bible sales have also risen. It’s no surprise that in times of anxiety, uncertainty, and loss people turn to God. Why? Because it reminds us that we are not as independent and in control of our lives as we think.
Prayer is by nature an act of humility. It’s an acknowledgment of weakness – our utter incapability to control our circumstances. It is inherently a confession of our complete dependence on the sovereign power and wisdom of the God of the universe.
There are numerous examples in the Gospels of Jesus praying. He prayed frequently, fervently, and faithfully. He not only taught us how to pray, but he also modeled a vibrant prayer life. He invited his disciples and he also invites us today to listen in on his prayers to the Father. That includes that most agonizing of prayers on the night he was arrested. In Gethsemane.
Notice how Jesus’ suffering began in a garden. Often when we think about Christ’s passion, images of rods and whips, a crown of thorns, large nails, and a wooden cross enter our minds. And all of those are certainly part of his suffering. But we can easily forget the agony Jesus experienced in otherwise quiet, serene Gethsemane. He knew the cross lay ahead. And in sorrow and anguish Jesus, the sin-bearer, cried out to his Father for strength.
There is a striking juxtaposition between Gethsemane and another garden. Remember Eden? Beautiful, lavish, and cool. A paradise, untouched by pest or disease. That is until sin invaded God’s creation subjecting it to the curse of futility, corruption, and death (Genesis 3:16-19, Romans 8:20). But consequences didn’t just fall on the impersonal created order. It fell on rebellious humanity. Man and woman, the crowning jewel of God’s creation, now faced a future marked by suffering and eventually death – the penalty for cosmic treason against a holy God.
Fast forward to Gethsemane. God has not forgotten the original garden. In fact, in an act of incredible grace, God has provided his Son to redeem of lost paradise. But it will be at a great cost. Jesus will procure the restoration of creation and reconciliation with humanity through the shedding of his blood. The suffering we should have experienced under the thumb of God’s just wrath is being pressed on Jesus instead.
That weight began to fall on Jesus in Gethsemane (which, uncoincidentally means “oil press”). But the good news is that the loneliness, pain, stress, and blood-sweating are all part of God’s incredible plan of redemption being fulfilled in Jesus Christ. And that great, sovereign plan of God, formulated before the creation of the world and inscribed by God’s Spirit in Scripture secures our salvation (Ephesians 2:1-10).
In Gethsemane Jesus not only acknowledged his Father’s power and authority over the world, but he also celebrated and embraced it. He reaffirmed his allegiance to his Father’s will even though it would lead to immense suffering. Why? Because he knew that the cross was the death-blow to sin, Satan, and death itself. He entrusted himself to the Father because he knew the inevitable outcome – the salvation of his beloved Bride, the Church.
Have you repented of sin and trusted the gospel? One day Jesus will return to rid the universe of sin, finally defeat death, and end all suffering. Ponder that truth today and throughout Passion Week. Let it be an encouragement to you in these difficult times. And pray frequently, fervently, and faithfully. And if you don’t know where to start, begin by asking that God would reinvigorate your hope, reinforce your trust, and rekindle your delight in his Son Jesus Christ.
Join us for our Passion Week Livestream Services.
Good Friday service April 10th at 7:00 pm & Easter service on Sunday, April 12 at 10:00 am.