HIS ULTIMATE

Ever get discouraged about tomorrow? Think your days ahead are tough? Take a minute and focus on what Jesus saw ahead of him in Gethsemane.

Dark … It is so dark in the garden.

My stomach is in knots, and I’m sickened by the thoughts of what’s to come. My head feels like it is being crushed in one of my dad’s wood clamps from the stress I will face in the next twenty-four hours. Every breath is a chore from the heaviness in my chest and the heartache of so many that will mock me (Mark 15:20). My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death (Matthew 26:38).

My treasurer has given into greed and betrayed me. OH FATHER . . . it hurts . . . he was my friend … he walked with us, laughed, and cried with us. Now he’s the enemy given in to the love of money that is the root of all evil (1 Timothy 6:10). Help me Father, to love him (Luke 6:35). HELP me Father, to love him. OH, HELP ME FATHER, to love him!

They’re going to arrest me like a common criminal and take me away bound like a prisoner. I’ll be humiliated, despised, and rejected by everyone (Isaiah 53:3). They’ll take me away while my best friend refuses to admit he even knew me (Matthew 26: 69-75). PETER . . . I warned you; I even asked you to pray because your flesh was weak (Matthew 26:41). Forgive him Father . . . He doesn’t know what he’s doing; bury this sin in the depth of the sea (Micah 7:19).

They won’t know what to do with me. They’ll keep passing me back and forth between Caiaphas and Pilot asking the same questions over and over and over. My face will sting from their slaps and their spit will run down my cheeks (Matthew 26:67). The wreath of sharp thorns will be so painful on my head my eyes will water (Matthew 27:29). My back will be torn apart from the 39 times they will whip me. Father, help me to not open my mouth (Isaiah 53:7). Father, HELP ME to not open my mouth . . . FATHER . . .

The very people that sang praises and cried; “HOSANNA” will cry; “CRUCIFY HIM”! “Give us Barabbas and CRUCIFY HIM” (Luke 23:18-21)! The people want that strong and physical Barabbas who can lead the rebellion against the Roman Empire and free the Jews. I’ll free them, if they would only believe who “I AM” (John 14:11, Acts 16:31).

In the toughest hour of my life, my closest friends are sleeping and won’t stay awake to pray (Matthew 26:40). Three times I try to wake them, but they still sleep. In anguish, I pray until I sweat like drops of blood (Luke 22:44).

They will make me carry a heavy cross on my pulverized back, through the city to Golgotha where the criminals are crucified (Mark 15:22). Every step will drive the heavy rough wood into my tender back and I won’t be able to carry it anymore.

Crack . . . Crack . . . The nails piercing my feet and hands will cause pain so intense it shoots up my legs and arms into my already raw back (John 20:25). They’ll drop the cross into place as the nails tear the flesh and tendons in my feet and hands. Naked, I will hang on the cross exposed on a hill between two thieves. They’ll only offer me wine with myrrh to drink (Mark 15:23). Father, help me to resist the temptation to not accept the easy way out with the pain killer . . . the job will not be finished yet.

Mom . . . Who will take care of Mom? Oh, John . . . he will be there. John, please take care of her. Take care of her, show your love for me by taking care of this widow (James 1:27).

Tremendous pain … I won’t be able to breathe my chest becomes so heavy. My weight is only supported by the nails now grinding into the bones. Every movement I make to stretch and breathe will pull and tear my flesh even more. “Father . . . Father . . . Don’t leave me . . . Father . . . God . . . God . . . MY GOD, MY GOD, DON’T LEAVE ME” (Psalms 22:1).

In the darkness of the garden, I fell with my face to the ground, “Father, if possible, take this cup away from me!” “But Father… may your will be done … not mine” (Matthew 26:38). An angel came to me and strengthened me (Luke 22:43). Then, I saw the victory! The sacrifice: so pure, so perfect for everyone’s sins. Every failure, loose tongue, immoral thought, every sin, covered and forgiven by this sacrifice. Giving everyone who chooses a second, a third or however many chances they need to know my Father and that he loves them. The job will be complete, by resurrecting and sitting at the right hand of my Father (Hebrews 10:12). Then, I will be the people’s lawyer, presenting them perfect and holy to the Father (1 John 2:1). “YES, FATHER, your will be done!” “I give up my life for them and will be crushed for their iniquities” (Isaiah 53:5)!

The crowd comes with swords and clubs to take me away. Judas . . . the kiss . . . chains . . . the crowd cheering. Peter wrapped up in the emotion, cuts off a soldier's ear. For a moment my thoughts are, YES; Peter, James, John, Andrew, grab a sword. I’ll call twelve legions of angels we’ll show them true justice. “PETER ...” I cry, “Put the sword away, whoever draws the sword will die by the sword” (Matt 26:53).

As the soldiers lead me away like a lamb going to the slaughter (Isaiah 53:7), I see the sorrow and remorse in Judas’ eyes (Matthew 27:3). I hear Peter’s cry for forgiveness. I feel the weight of the whole world's sin on my shoulders (Isaiah 9:6).

“Ju . . . Judas . . . I love you.” “Peter . . . I love you and you are forgiven.” “World . . . I love you” (John 3:16)!

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).

Jesus