Luke 22: 39-44: OH TO BE...

As Pastor was preaching last night on "Compelling Love," he mentioned this passage of scripture. I'd like to share some of the continual thoughts I've had on it today.

Luke 22:39-44
(39) And he came out, and went, as he was wont, to the mount of Olives; and his disciples also followed him.
(40) And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation.
(41) And he was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed,
(42) Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.
(43) And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.
(44) And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly...

Wow! What powerful scriptures. I left the rest of verse 44 off because I'm working on another post on it (check back in a few days). Let's imagine the scene:

Jesus Christ in the garden of Gethsemane with several disciples a few stone throws away, 3 disciples closer, and then the man of God praying by himself. It's dark outside, the voices of nature are making their usual noise - or are they. I'm going to stop right there for a minute - I wonder nature's reaction as Jesus prayed these last prayers. How many birds, animals, the wind, the rain, all the elements were ready to fight on behalf of Jesus knowing that the end was near. The bible teaches us that if we don't praise him, the rocks will - so don't even try to say that God made things can't take on life to fight for their creators using whatever force they have. I wonder if that night whether all of the heavens were shining with stars, the moon was bright, or was it a dark, gloomy, foggy night because even the moon was to upset to show it's face (or did it want a front row view of it's creator praying for all of creation that it was looking upon?)

Jesus prays and prays and prays some more for 3 hours in hour increments each time going back to find his sleeping disciples. The bible says he prayed so hard that out of his pores flowed great drops of blood, he was in agony, I can't even imagine his weakness and the burden that was upon him. This is one of the fews time we really see the "human side" of Jesus - we're so used to reading the teachings and miracles and how godly his actions and words were. But here is the creator of the universe, God manifest in flesh, interceding for a world, for the present, and for the future. Even more so, he knows his end is near and he questions his spiritual self on the necessity of what the prophets said he was to endure. But there's still the willingness, the knowing that he was sent here for that time and for such a high purpose and calling. (Let me side note again - we run from callings and God-given purposes constantly, could you imagine being called to be a sacrifice for all of creation, maybe being called to preach, or to the mission fields, or to be a pastor doesn't sound like such a hard thing afterall).

But I digress, let me jump to the purpose of this post. Verse 43 states, "And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him." Maybe even more so than being called to be a sacrifice for all of creation is this calling that this angel received - strengthen the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. The angel quickly jumped to attention, but you know in those times of strengthen there was questioning, "What if I'm not doing enough?" "What if he isn't being strengthened by my actions?" "What if I let him/God down?" "Why me? Why not someone else?"

But oh to be that strengthening angel. Oh to be the one that can say, I was there when the Lord needed strengthened. Oftentimes we look to the Lord for strength, but I was there to strengthen the Lord. There's no pride in heaven, but could you imagine!

My friend, my brother, my sister. The Lord is struggling - he needs to be strengthened! He looks upon this earth knowing that his return is very soon, but seeing all the people that won't spend eternity with him unless we act. God Almighty must spend his days in tears trying to motivate an uncaring church and world. We don't do enough, plain and simple. I don't do enough. God needs us to strengthen him. We can strengthen him through our actions. He just needs a little help and that's why he's called us. That angels sole-purpose in life may have just to been to strengthen the man, Jesus Christ, think about it. Oh to be that angel!

(I have felt the moving power of God as I have typed this. I pray you realize that you can be as that angel. My friend, you have been called to this place, for this time, for a DIVINE purpose and through the fulfilling of that purpose, you will be as that angel - you will strengthen God. The Lord is good!)

Mark 4:37-41: Praise HIM through the storm

My brothers and sisters, storms of life are often troubling our walk with God. But no longer do you have to put up with the storm. There is a way out. Jesus is on board, just wake him up in your life, and he's right there. Know that Jesus is able to meet your need, heal your body, deliver you from your addiction, and save you!

We learn in this passage of scripture that Jesus was asleep on board the ship. How often is Jesus "asleep" in our life? Maybe put on the back burner? You know, not the greatest priority? Oftentimes we like to take the situation into our own hands and then when things begin to come uncontrollable, we turn the back burner on. Jesus suddenly becomes the priority. Jesus is awakened.

I like the translation of this passage of scripture from the Bible in Basic English. In Matthew's writings (8:25), they say, "Help Lord, DESTRUCTION is near." Why is that we wait until destruction is near to call upon the lord for help? In just the previous verses we learn that the waves were taller than the boat and the boat was nearly full with water. So, why not call upon the Lord when the storm begins to rise up against us?

Let me tell you that if you will just PRAISE and trust in Jesus regardless of your situation and know that the storm you face will make you stronger and if the storm gets too unbearable, Jesus is there as the master of seas and winds.

If we look to Peter we can fully get the picture of focusing on Jesus regardless of the situation. In Matthew 14, Peter sees Jesus walking on the water and then goes to Jesus, himself walking on the water. It's often overlooked that this, too, is in the middle of a storm. In verse 30 of chapter 14, the bible says, "But when he saw the wind he was in fear and, starting to go down, he gave a cry, saying, Help, Lord."

Now, the story doesn't end there. Jesus lifts Peter up by the hand and walks back to the boat, likely, hand in hand WITH Jesus. Pay attention here (v. 32), And when they had got into the boat, the wind went down. So you ask, "What are you getting at?" Let's jump back a few scriptures (v. 24), "But the boat was now in the middle of the sea..."

Jesus and Peter, hand in hand, walked back to the boat through the STORM! It's wasn't until they were in the boat that the storm was calmed. So, don't just think that with Jesus on board, you won't experience storms, but when Jesus is in control, Jesus IS in control! Focus on the storm and watch it batter you, focus on Jesus and the storm won't even matter.

More on these scriptures later.