PrintToday's "Moment with Mark" (88)
17 February, 2013
And they came to an olive grove called Gethsemane, and Jesus said, "Sit here while I go and pray." He took Peter, James, and John with him, and he began to be filled with horror and deep distress. (Mark 14:32-34 NLT)
"....and he began to be filled with horror and deep distress". It will take a lot more than a "moment with Mark" for us to even begin to grasp the impact of that statement. In fact, if we had years to do so, I doubt that we could ever enter into this mystery.
I guess I tend to always think of Jesus as controlled, unshakeable, impervious to the emotions generated by horror and distress. When it came to the crunch, He was the man for every occasion. But the events unfolding quickly now constitute the "ultimate crunch". The enormity of what Jesus faced as the Lamb of God Who takes away the sin of the world is also beyond our ability to grasp in all its fullness.
"....and he began to be filled with horror and deep distress". He knows about such things. He has to know about such things if He is to be tested at every point just like us. Is there someone out there who has just received the final medical report and all the doctor could say was, "I'm terribly sorry. I wish the news was better but there is no doubt about the results. There is no cure and very little we can do by way of treatment."
The results? Deep distress.
In a few weeks we shall celebrate the events of Easter. My prayer is that these reflective moments with Mark might stimulate our spirits and open our hearts in a fresh way and take us deeper into the heart of God.
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