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 The name Golgotha – “the place of the skull” – paints a vivid and somber picture. This hill, situated just outside the ancient city of Jerusalem, holds a significant place in history and belief. More than simply a location, Golgotha embodies a powerful duality, a place where the harsh reality of mortality intersects with the promise of renewal. This “place of the skull” stands as a testament to profound contrasts, a site where the finality of death gave way to the dawn of new beginnings. From the connotations of decay inherent in its name, to the transformative potential of the pivotal event that transpired there, Golgotha invites contemplation on the enduring themes of sacrifice and the possibility of life emerging from death. A collective reflection on God’s grace and our chances for renewal Wednesday, April 16, 2025 |
A place of prayer and presence Matthew 26:36-46 Today, we explore one of the most profoundly human moments in Jesus’ life in the Garden of Gethsemane. Immediately following the intimate Passover meal with his disciples, Jesus leads them to this familiar place of prayer, fully aware of the immense suffering that awaits him. Here, we understand Jesus’s dual nature—divine and human—his intimate relationship with the Father and the immeasurable cost of our salvation. Jesus is grappling with a sorrow so profound it threatens to overwhelm him. This was no ordinary sadness but a soul-crushing agony, a deep distress that pressed upon him with suffocating intensity. He feels the full weight of what is to come: the sting of betrayal by a trusted friend, the abandonment and denial by his closest followers, the humiliation of mockery and false accusations, the brutality of torture, and the ultimate burden—the weight of the world’s sin. His words, “to the point of death,” emphasize the sheer intensity of his emotional and spiritual pain. This vivid description is a stark reminder that Jesus, though divine, fully embraced the human experience, including its darkest depths. We hear him crying out to God, yearning for a different path that might bypass the suffering that is to come. As I reflect on his prayers, I wonder if his very human side wasn’t also grieving the loss of his friends, the ability to continue this ministry together, on foot, teaching people. We have seen Jesus fully immersed in community with the disciples, showing them how to engage, challenge, encourage, and teach others. I can relate to the desire for more time with my friends and more opportunities to connect, encourage, and engage with others that we each feel called to. Yet, even in his most profound distress, Jesus submits to God’s will. His prayer is a powerful example of surrender, placing God’s perfect plan above our human desires. It demonstrates that it is not only acceptable but necessary to express our fears, our pain, and our doubts to God, but ultimately, trusting in his perfect wisdom and sovereign plan. I am reminded of my grandma, who was my ever-present prayer warrior. I came to faith because of her prayers, and I watched her care so deeply for others over the decades through her prayers. Notes of prayers were folded into her Bible and her much-loved devotional, Jesus Calling. So drawn to pray others into God’s love, she graduated from hospice three times…each time when a new nurse became her caregiver. She needed to know their story and have time to pray for them properly, so she persisted! Jesus’ words urge us to be vigilant and alert to our daily spiritual battles and to rely on prayer as our primary source of strength and guidance. He prays not once but three times, each time with the same heartfelt plea yet the same unwavering submission. This repetition emphasizes the sheer intensity of his inner struggle and the deepening of his resolve to obey God’s will. Through persistent prayer, Jesus finds the strength and clarity to face the cross with steadfast determination. As the pivotal moment of betrayal approaches, Jesus awakens his disciples. He is now prepared to face the trials ahead, having found strength and peace in his communion with the Father. This night in the garden is a powerful and poignant reminder of the intense agony Jesus endured for the salvation of humankind…for us. All these years later, we witness his humanity in its fullness, his unwavering dependence on the Father, and his resolute commitment to the will of God. It is a place of surrender, a place of profound struggle, and the place where the trajectory of human history was forever altered. Today, we are challenged to consider our willingness to submit to God’s will, persevere in prayer, and remain steadfast even in the face of overwhelming adversity. Embedded in this challenge is the comfort that we are not alone, even in our darkest hours. Jesus, who faced the ultimate test, is with us, interceding for us and offering us the strength to endure and overcome. Prayer for today: God, we thank you for this incredible peek into the human and divine nature and experience of Jesus. Thank you for showing us how to talk to you when we are overcome with hardship, fear, and loss. Jesus, thank you for sharing your pleas and your wrestling with anguish and hardship. May you help us grapple with our struggles in prayer, perseverance, and your presence this week. We are deeply grateful for your example on this night in the garden and for your presence with us in every moment. Amen. By Lisa Zulke |
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