The grip of anxiety

"Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours be done"  Luke 22:42   NKJV

On our walk with Jesus to the cross this week, let us commence in the Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus was the Messiah but, we must also remember that at this time He was still in human form. He bled and felt pain and also suffered fear and anxiety. Notice how He prayed to His Father to ask if He would take this cup from Him. We all do this. We find that we have certain things to do that we don't really fancy, so we wriggle a little. This reminds me of Moses when God had called him to go to Pharaoh to bring the Israelites out of bondage (Exodus 4). He tried his best to get God to change his mind. Be honest, we all do it.

Not Jesus though, He knew His mission and was totally ready to do it. However, this didn't stop the human blip that became so bad He began to sweat drops of blood v44. So bad in fact, that an angel had to attend to Him. At times like this, we tend to focus mostly upon the cross and the suffering Jesus underwent there. However, He suffered well before that with mind games - the devil feeding Him with all He would have to do and when He needed a friendly face, His disciples had fallen asleep.  He was on His own.

Jesus had carried the burdens of many people, had healed many and changed their lives forever yet, the way to the cross was all He had to look forward to. Think about what you have planned to do over the next few weeks. You don't really want to do some of them do you? But you will. You have the choice to do it reluctantly or willingly. Jesus was determined to carry out His mission willingly but hey, it was such a tall order and very scary.

This week, give the initial stages of the walk to the cross, some thought. Meditate on this and try and imagine everything that Jesus was going through at this time -  mind, will and emotions, His very soul was on fire with anxiety. Talk to Him, thank Him, praise Him and just be with Him. As you do this, you will be able to identify with Him.

More tomorrow!

If you don't know Jesus or, have fallen away, why not say this prayer right now:

'Lord Jesus, I have sinned and I ask you to forgive me and be my Lord and Saviour. Please come into my heart, fill me with Your Spirit and give me a brand new start today.

In Jesus' Name. Amen'

Copyright 2024 Grahame Howard.                                

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