So the easter weekend got me to thinkin'; especially Good Friday. We had a Tenebrae service in our home Friday night with some dear friends who are also members of our church community. For me it was a siginificant night. I had been "prepping" for the story with my focus on God's character shown through Jesus' life. This time the reading of the Garden of Gethsemane events did not just roll over my mind and heart as a story "I've heard" at least 35 times. I think I finally HEARD it.
As I listened and read and studied further afterward I was hung up on Jesus request that His Father-God "take this cup" from him. I keenly felt that Jesus request was for himself in that moment but also perhaps for us. Is this the ONLY way...can you take this cup? Do we have to walk here? I find so much comfort in Jesus' request. I feel understood, known and walked with.
These days my "cups" don't feel too heavy if I look at the world around me. But I do feel exhausted and desparate at times trying to navigate all that is in front of me...some of it feels painful. I pray and ask that my baby sister's "cup" be taken from her. Over and over that request is made. I believe many who know and love her have prayed along these lines. I have prayed and asked that my husband's particular "cup" at various times in life be taken from him as well.
In all this petitioning, the "cup" hasn't been taken (at least not yet) but God has been so good to allow me, or whoever I am petitioning for, to recieve the cup with trust and sometimes even with grace.
I am thankful for Jesus' words in Gethsemane. Part of the pain with any "cup" is the lonely, isolated feeling it can bring. Jesus abolished this when he walked that lonely path and took that cup and brought new life to the world. The promise and comfort in these moments of Jesus' life give me renewed desire to continue to walk, regardless of the weight of the cup.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Jesus LIVED for me (us)
Based on the loving encouragement of a friend, I began to focus my spiritual "energy" on a study of God's character. What terrific and timely advice it was. One of the books I am reading speaks of how we learn about who God is by paying close attention to who Jesus was. As I began the study I chose to read Matthew first. I am only a few chapters in, but so excited already for the window scripture can give into the amazing heart of God.
As I read in chapter 4 of Matthew, I was touched by a sentence so deeply it has permeated most of my thoughts over the couple days since I read.
23Jesus was going throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every kind of disease and every kind of sickness among the people.
24The news about Him spread throughout all Syria; and they brought to Him all who were ill, those suffering with various diseases and pains, demoniacs, epileptics, paralytics; and He healed them.
The gift I find in this passage is in the nature of Jesus/God. He healed every kind of disease; they brought to Him ALL who were ill and he healed them. The all-encompassing, acceptance, come-unto-me-heart-of-God. The life change that comes after the healing is HUGE and necessary; but all by itself the loving healing of all diseases (struggles, sins, shortcomings - I read) tells me so much about the heart of my Father God.
I saw a bumper sticker on the way to work this week. It said, "Jesus died for me". To that statement I can truly say amen, I agree, and thankyou Jesus. I can add to it though...Jesus lived for me. His life on this earth was about the cross, but it was also about being with us and showing us how we can live in our world and love everyone in it. It was about showing us on our "turf" who God is and how we can know Him. I have so much to learn about how He lived for me (us) but I am so thankful that in addition to His death, He gives me His life for me to learn about and follow.
As I read in chapter 4 of Matthew, I was touched by a sentence so deeply it has permeated most of my thoughts over the couple days since I read.
23Jesus was going throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every kind of disease and every kind of sickness among the people.
24The news about Him spread throughout all Syria; and they brought to Him all who were ill, those suffering with various diseases and pains, demoniacs, epileptics, paralytics; and He healed them.
The gift I find in this passage is in the nature of Jesus/God. He healed every kind of disease; they brought to Him ALL who were ill and he healed them. The all-encompassing, acceptance, come-unto-me-heart-of-God. The life change that comes after the healing is HUGE and necessary; but all by itself the loving healing of all diseases (struggles, sins, shortcomings - I read) tells me so much about the heart of my Father God.
I saw a bumper sticker on the way to work this week. It said, "Jesus died for me". To that statement I can truly say amen, I agree, and thankyou Jesus. I can add to it though...Jesus lived for me. His life on this earth was about the cross, but it was also about being with us and showing us how we can live in our world and love everyone in it. It was about showing us on our "turf" who God is and how we can know Him. I have so much to learn about how He lived for me (us) but I am so thankful that in addition to His death, He gives me His life for me to learn about and follow.
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