Easter Reflections
The Garden of Obedience March 1, 2013
I love to walk through gardens. The gardens in and around Niagara Falls Ontario are some of our favourite places to walk. Weyburn and I enjoy the Niagara area for a quick get-a-way. We avoid the typical “tourist traps” in favour of the calm beauty of tulips, roses and azaleas. One of my sisters – in – law has a beautiful garden behind her home that she and her husband have been developing over many years. She has said I am welcome to come and enjoy it any time. Gardens are a perfect place to take time alone with God, to have some time of sweet communion with Him.
John’s account of the gospel indicates that Jesus and his twelve disciples visited the Garden of Gethsemane often. (John 18:2). The last time Jesus and his disciples visited was several days after Jesus’ Triumphal ride into Jerusalem. As Jesus entered the garden He was “exceedingly sorrowful…” He found himself abandoned by his disciples, and facing the hardest decision of His life on earth as a human. I am sure He was not focused on the natural beauty of the garden that night.
Three of the Gospel writers give details of His final visit and His time of prayer during his final visit to the garden. The three accounts together help us to have a fuller picture of the severity of Christ’s own cross road.
Matthew 26: 28, 39 & 42
38 Then He said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me.”
39 He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.”
42 Again, a second time, He went away and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if this cup cannot pass away from Me unless I drink it, Your will be done.”
Mark 14:34 - 36
Then He said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch.”
He went a little farther, and fell on the ground, and prayed that if it were possible, the hour might pass from Him. And He said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for You. Take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will.”
Luke 22: 41-44
And He was withdrawn from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and prayed, saying, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.” Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him. And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.
Being fully God, Jesus Christ knew what the next few days would bring. He knew the pain and suffering his human body would experience. As He prayed in the garden that night, Jesus, also fully Man, experienced the very human emotions of dread, trepidation and temptations. (Heb. 4:15) He had the same thoughts we would have when faced with difficult and seemingly impossible situations. We would have asked God to please take this trial away. Yes, He asked the Father to “let the cup pass.” But, Jesus, God the Son, had been part of the “design team” from the beginning of time. He knew what the vision and plan for the salvation of mankind would be. He knew the purpose for which He had come to earth as a babe 33 years before. Jesus, God’s Son, submitted to the will of the Father. He knew that in order for the sin of each person to be forgiven and absolved from their sin, He would need to die. He would be the ultimate sacrifice. He is the “Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” (John 1:12)
It was in the Garden of Gethsemane that night, that Jesus, keeping the Divine Vision in sight, was obedient and submitted to the death on the Cross. Jesus Christ, God’s Son, died so that you and I might be forgiven of our sinful natures, and sinful ways. As a child of seven, I knew in the deepest part of my soul that I was a sinful, selfish person. I made the decision one night over 55 years ago, to follow Christ and to ask His forgiveness. Yes, as a child I had not committed what we consider “large sins.” It was the sin of rejecting God, and living the way I want to that separated me from God the Father.
At the age of 7 I came to understand these verses: (all verses are quoted from the New King James Version NKJV)
John 3:16
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
Romans 3:23
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”
Romans 6:23
“For the wages (payment) of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
John 1:12
“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name”
Romans 10:13
“For whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
The beginning of this Easter Season is the perfect time to become God’s child. It is the perfect time to accept His love, forgiveness, direction and vision for your life. As always, I would love to hear from you. If you have decided to turn to Jesus Christ, and accept the Good News of His love and forgiveness please contact me. I will pray for you, and with you.
May you come to know fully God’s forgiveness, peace and vision for your life.
John’s account of the gospel indicates that Jesus and his twelve disciples visited the Garden of Gethsemane often. (John 18:2). The last time Jesus and his disciples visited was several days after Jesus’ Triumphal ride into Jerusalem. As Jesus entered the garden He was “exceedingly sorrowful…” He found himself abandoned by his disciples, and facing the hardest decision of His life on earth as a human. I am sure He was not focused on the natural beauty of the garden that night.
Three of the Gospel writers give details of His final visit and His time of prayer during his final visit to the garden. The three accounts together help us to have a fuller picture of the severity of Christ’s own cross road.
Matthew 26: 28, 39 & 42
38 Then He said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me.”
39 He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.”
42 Again, a second time, He went away and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if this cup cannot pass away from Me unless I drink it, Your will be done.”
Mark 14:34 - 36
Then He said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch.”
He went a little farther, and fell on the ground, and prayed that if it were possible, the hour might pass from Him. And He said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for You. Take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will.”
Luke 22: 41-44
And He was withdrawn from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and prayed, saying, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.” Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him. And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.
Being fully God, Jesus Christ knew what the next few days would bring. He knew the pain and suffering his human body would experience. As He prayed in the garden that night, Jesus, also fully Man, experienced the very human emotions of dread, trepidation and temptations. (Heb. 4:15) He had the same thoughts we would have when faced with difficult and seemingly impossible situations. We would have asked God to please take this trial away. Yes, He asked the Father to “let the cup pass.” But, Jesus, God the Son, had been part of the “design team” from the beginning of time. He knew what the vision and plan for the salvation of mankind would be. He knew the purpose for which He had come to earth as a babe 33 years before. Jesus, God’s Son, submitted to the will of the Father. He knew that in order for the sin of each person to be forgiven and absolved from their sin, He would need to die. He would be the ultimate sacrifice. He is the “Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” (John 1:12)
It was in the Garden of Gethsemane that night, that Jesus, keeping the Divine Vision in sight, was obedient and submitted to the death on the Cross. Jesus Christ, God’s Son, died so that you and I might be forgiven of our sinful natures, and sinful ways. As a child of seven, I knew in the deepest part of my soul that I was a sinful, selfish person. I made the decision one night over 55 years ago, to follow Christ and to ask His forgiveness. Yes, as a child I had not committed what we consider “large sins.” It was the sin of rejecting God, and living the way I want to that separated me from God the Father.
At the age of 7 I came to understand these verses: (all verses are quoted from the New King James Version NKJV)
John 3:16
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
- Jesus loves ME, Debi Douras!
Romans 3:23
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”
- Oh, yes, I knew that I was not always good.
Romans 6:23
“For the wages (payment) of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
- My parents had taught me there were consequences for doing wrong, so I understood that God would need to punish sin also.
- God had a gift for me, and I wanted to accept it.
John 1:12
“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name”
- Jesus wanted me to be God’s child.
- I wanted to be God’s child.
Romans 10:13
“For whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
- I called on Jesus that night, and knew instantly that I have been forgiven.
The beginning of this Easter Season is the perfect time to become God’s child. It is the perfect time to accept His love, forgiveness, direction and vision for your life. As always, I would love to hear from you. If you have decided to turn to Jesus Christ, and accept the Good News of His love and forgiveness please contact me. I will pray for you, and with you.
May you come to know fully God’s forgiveness, peace and vision for your life.