Recently, in deep reflection I searched my mind seeking an
understanding regarding a couple of thoughts related to Jesus’ death. I realized that many of us don’t have to face
a death-sentence from our own government; however, some of us do have to face
down other issues that threaten our own lives or others around us. I’ve
walked through the valley of the shadow of death as I witnessed folks around me
lose family members. I’ve mourned with
several close family friends who lost a child.
Personally, I’ve lost my grandparents, my mother-in-law, several very
special aunts and uncles, my sweet cousin and even my precious nephew.
Christianity philosophically opens the door and ushers in a
sharp perspective, or poignant, line-of-thought regarding life after
death. Christ flat-out said that he was
sent to earth by his Father- who is God himself! That is flabbergasting. If you’ve ever pondered why he would say such
things have you considered that, perhaps, it’s true!!! AND, if it is true…. What does
life-after-this-life look like? Where is
it that God resides? Certainly the
answers to these two questions are otherworldly.
We do know that death takes us off this planet! With modern medicine and the Internet we’ve
been given a glimpse of the “other side” through the testimony of many people
who have experienced death and returned to tell their tale. What I’d like to share with you is the
personal revelation and actual example Jesus set when facing his inevitable
death. If you are unfamiliar with what
scripture says regarding how the man, Jesus, faced his upcoming crucifixion
here are some details:
Scripture says he sweated blood. Through medical research we now know that this ailment,
known as Hematohidrosis, is brought about by extreme physical or emotional
stress. Luke, a physician stated “and
being in anguish he (Jesus) prayed more earnestly and his sweat was like drops
of blood falling to the ground.” (Luke 22:44)
Scripture tells
us that Jesus was fully God and fully man. (John 17: 1-5) This man knew that he
was about to be tried and crucified. The
man, Jesus, at the exact time that his anxiety was causing him to sweat blood,
prayed and sought godly council and actually asked that this cup (or situation)
be removed from him:
“He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond
them, knelt down and prayed,
“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me;
yet not my will, but yours be done.”
“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me;
yet not my will, but yours be done.”
Luke 22: 41-42
The point that I
am getting to is the human example Jesus set for all us as he faced down his
looming death. He had extreme anxiety,
like we all do when facing life-threatening dilemmas…. but he prayed, as we all
should, when in great need. Then, humbly, he accepted the situation in front of him in the form of a confessed surrender “yet not my will, but yours be done”.
Now, we’re on to
something! The Bible is full of stories
of people who rose above their plight to inspire us with their examples. Now, let’s add Christ’s name to that list for
another reason than the obvious- for he truly gave us an example of how to face
down the fear of death. With such a huge
obstacle in front of us the answer seems too tentative really, but Jesus simply
and powerfully used PRAYER and SURRENDER!
Yes, he prayed with great urgency and earnestly wanted to “pray away” the issues in front of him. So high was his human stress-levels that he
sweated blood. He knew the excruciating
death that awaited him; but the answer to his prayer was no!
Many of us
receive that same answer and we’re at a loss! When this happens our spiritual strength is
strained, our emotional life is drained and our literal heart feels the intense
pain. The point of this writing is that our example is Christ. With death approaching he surrendered himself
to the will of God. With no other options, he prayed. Under great duress and with earnestness, he
prayed. With no other recourse he prayed
and stayed the course. He walked from the Garden of Gethsemane through
the Valley of the Shadow of death to Golgotha where he was crucified. (see John
19:16-18). Certainly, like all of us, he
didn’t want to but he knew he had to. He
didn’t feel the courage but its absence didn’t change his path; he was forced
to walk there anyway. Christians are called to be “Christ-like” and our death
is no different. We can pray that death
doesn’t take us but we must eventually face it.
Compassionately, I say-there is no changing it! Like Jesus, may our
final prayer be “Thy will be done”.
RvH
Song Recommendation:
Thy Will
By:
Hillary Scott
Song Recommendation:
Trust in You
By:
Lauren Daigle
Scripture says:
“Do not let your hearts be
troubled. Trust in God; trust also in
me. In my Father’s house are many rooms;
if it weren’t so, I would have told you.
I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I
will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am
going.”
John 14: 1-4
“Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know
where you are going, so how can we know the way?”
Jesus answered:
“I am the way, and the truth
and the life.
No one comes to the Father except through me.”
No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14: 5-6
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