Tag: Easter

Forgive Them…

He was betrayed by a “close” friend, arrested in a dark garden, and led away where he would be vehemently accused, treated with contempt and mocked, and repeatedly beaten and even whipped. He was given a sentence of death, even though he was found not guilty. Then he was nailed to a cross, where he was mocked and stabbed…

Yet He said, “Father, forgive them…”

What has someone (many someones) done against you? Are you having a hard time forgiving them?

Pray for that person (the many people). Ask your heavenly Father God to forgive them. It will change you…change your heart, but not necessarily your circumstances.

But Jesus was saying, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.”

Luke 23:34

GETHSEMANE: Stay Awake

It is a small garden, peaceful, quiet oasis… Looks like just the place to get away from the busyness of the city and spend time in prayer.

There we were standing in the garden of Gethsemane.

I could just picture Jesus entering the garden with His disciples.  They had finished the Passover meal and Jesus brought then for a time of prayer.

As I think about Peter, James, and John. They were full from the meal and tired from the day’s activities, even though they likely had good intentions, they did not stay awake.

Jesus was grieved and He had brought these three men to keep watch and pray with Him in this garden.

“Keep watching and praying that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”  Matthew 26:41

Their failure didn’t stop Jesus. He encouraged them to keep watching and praying and went away a second time to pray.

“My Father if this cannot pass away unless I drink it, Your will be done.” Mathew 26:42

The same a third time…they are sleeping and Jesus is praying. His prayer affirmed His surrendered life and gave Him strength to walk the path that God had planned for HIm.

May we also be reminded to keep alert and ready to live out God’s plan for our lives.

The end of all things is near; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer. 1 Peter 4:7