Day 16: Luke 22:41-44

Luke 22:41-44: He withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, knelt down, and prayed. He said, “Father, if it’s your will, take this cup of suffering away from me. However, not my will but your will must be done.” Then a heavenly angel appeared to him and strengthened him. He was in anguish and prayed even more earnestly. His sweat became like drops of blood falling on the ground.

There are two questions I want you to contemplate for a minute. In the garden of Gethsemane, how was Jesus feeling before his prayer?  And how did He feel during his prayer?

I know how he must have been feeling at both times because I had a similar experience in my recent past. While I was deployed in late 2012 and early 2013 my family fell apart. Shortly after returning home to El Paso, I moved out of my house and into an apartment. The process of my divorce was just starting and as Nicole, my former spouse, and I still lived in the same city I would spend time with my children about every other day. One day, after I took Chrystine and Nathaniel home and helped get them into bed, Nicole started talking to me. It quickly devolved from a rational discussion into Nicole yelling at me for everything she thought I had done wrong during our marriage. This wasn’t the first time it had happened, and because it was no longer a productive conversation I left and went back to my apartment. My spirit was in turmoil, much like Luke’s description in verse 44.

I needed to talk to someone about what I was feeling and going through. Being human, I started looking for humans to talk with. I started with my parents then tried both my sisters. With a two hour difference from Mountain Time to Eastern Time, none of them answered. Next I tried to call a Christian friend of mine in El Paso. He was also busy and didn’t answer.

Finally I turned to God. I opened the Bible to the New Testament and just started reading. I was in the gospels somewhere, but I don’t remember where. As I was reading, spending time with God, it became something like a prayer. The sense of calm and comfort I felt come over me was like nothing I had ever experienced before. It must have been what Jesus felt. Luke 22: 43 describes it “Then an angel from heaven appeared and strengthened him.”

I know what Jesus must have felt like, knowing what was about to happen. Then I entered the presence of the Father and felt the comfort that Jesus also received.

Abba Father, Thank You for strengthening me when I need it most.

Contributed by Josh