The Last Supper is slowly coming to an end. Even after all this time following Jesus everywhere He went, they still didn’t get it. The disciples begin an argument about who is the greatest among them. How could they not understand? How could they not see? I guess it is easy to say that now….not living in that space…in that time. Jesus had just instilled the last wisdom He had in them…..and they began to argue like children.
I can’t imagine what He was feeling. He knew all too well what was about to take place. He knew He was going to die. He knew the suffering He was about to endure. And He had to teach them one last lesson about humility.
The garden was calling. His last night of prayer. His last night to ask His Father to spare His life. Did this really have to be done? “Please tell me there has to be another way. I don’t want to die. I know if I don’t, all is lost….but please, please let there be some other way.” We all know the story…..He was the way.
What was He thinking? Did he go back to Abraham and Isaac? “Father, at the last-minute you provided Abraham with a ram, after he showed his faithfulness. I have done everything You have asked? Where is my ram? I know I am the ram….but there has to be something else we can do.”
He prayed so hard he bled. Even in your darkest times, in your deepest prayers have you bled? Have you sweated out blood?
His disciples…those who he took to watch over Him couldn’t even stay awake. Yes they were exhausted from their travels, from their years with Jesus. But for one night, this most important of nights they couldn’t stay awake? “Father, why can’t they see how important tonight is…..what I’m about to go through!!!”
One last plea….
“FATHER, IF YOU ARE WILLING, REMOVE THIS CUP FROM ME; YET NOT MY WILL, BUT YOURS BE DONE.”
And at that moment……God gave His response to His son. He sent an angel to strengthen Him for His final journey.
Over the next few hours Jesus would endure the worst kinds of torture. Starting with the emotional pain of watching Judas kiss His cheek….sealing His fate. He would be flogged until the skin peeled from His back…revealing the spinal cord that lay beneath. He would be mocked…His clothes lost in bets among His captors. He would be given a crown of thorns….smashed into His skull. The pain unbearable….The blood….the gore…the ripped and torn flesh….the jeers….”If you are the Son of God…save Yourself.”
He could have….He could have stopped it all in an instant. His Father could have snapped His fingers and ended it all. But it had to be done. It was the only way. It was the only way that relationship so dreamed of between us and God…so long ago in the Garden of Eden……..could and would be restored.
Jesus truly endured the physical pain…the physical suffering…..but God….what about God? He sat watching from above….watching His Son…..knowing He could stop it…..but knowing He couldn’t all at the same time. “I am with you my child. You are not alone. Please, please understand why this had to take place.” With tears streaming down His face.
It happened….this very night….all those years ago. It happened for us. It happened because we are sinners. It happened because no matter how many sheep we sacrifice…how many laws we follow…..WE ARE SINNERS.
We did it to ourselves. God could have said, “I’m done with you.” But He didn’t. “You may have disobeyed this time……but I will fight to get you back….even if it costs me my Son.”
So as you go to sleep tonight….as you wake up tomorrow on “Good Friday” with no school or work and you plan to go shopping or just hang out…..think about what this day is for. Think about how much love that God had for YOU that He allowed all of these things to take place……for His own Son to die on a cross.
God loves you. Jesus Christ loves you. If you don’t know that….I’m telling you right now it’s the truth. It’s not too late to begin that relationship with Him. You can start it this very moment. All you have to do is pray this simple prayer….and believe it with all of your heart.
“Jesus. I am a sinner. I am not worthy of your Grace that you provide for me. Please forgive me of my sins. I believe you died on a cross, were buried in a tomb, and three days later broke the gates of hell and rose from the grave. Please be with me all the days of my life and I will follow you forever.”
If you prayed that prayer and fully believe it in your heart I believe you now have eternal life……all because of God’s Grace. If you prayed that prayer…may this Good Friday and the Easter to come on Sunday carry a whole new meaning in your life.
To Be Continued……..
Tetelestai 