Easter morning has so many beautiful illustrations that shout joy and vibrancy. Lilies, Easter eggs, and colorful attire often accompany the morning that is designed to celebrate the most glorious of days – the resurrection of Jesus.
It’s so easy to want to skip ahead to Easter and not get too tangled in the details of Holy Week. It’s so much more pleasant to fast forward to the Good News!
Our church is hosting a series of Holy Week events this week, including a Tenebrae service yesterday evening and a Good Friday communion service tomorrow. Through these intentional moments of gathering, we are reminded that in order to celebrate an empty tomb, Jesus had to go to the cross first.
Prior to his trial and crucifixion, Jesus led his disciples to the garden of Gethsemane. In this place, Jesus strongly felt the emotions of His fate ahead. In Matthew 26:38, He said to his disciples, “My soul is overwhelmed to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”
As Jesus deeply lamented His pending separation from God during the time of crucifixion, his anguish and suffering we cannot fully comprehend.
It encourages me greatly that Jesus shared His concerns with His friends, and appears to ask for their support. He acknowledged His heartache, and allowed his friends to be present for Him in this most troubling of times.
Then, Jesus fell with His face to the ground and began to pray to God, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”
For just a moment, it appears Jesus asks for his suffering to be removed. But, what happens next is so humbling and convicting: Jesus surrenders all of His will to the Father – even knowing what this surrender will bring a temporary, but torturous, outcome.
My prayer for us this week is that we will not rush into Easter and let the day pass us by without reflection on the days leading us there. I pray that in the days ahead, we will also be mindful of Jesus’ in Gethsemane. I am seeking to learn from the way He navigated through this dark hour by: allowing space for raw, unfiltered grief; requesting support and safety; crying out a prayer for help; and faithfully surrendering to God’s will.
Today, let’s spend a little time in the Garden studying Jesus. As we await tomorrow’s sorrow, it is my hope that a work in our lives will be done this week that will lead us to a heart singing with joy on Sunday and beyond.
Rooted in Grace and Grit 