Today’s Picture: Jesus in Gethsemane by René de los Reyes
The Emotional Jesus: Fear
Jesus is afraid of what is coming next.
So fearful that he sweats profusely in the cool of a spring evening,
so fearful that he wants his best friends around to support him.
He prays desperately not to have to undergo what he fears might happen.
He doesn’t have to be able to see the future to imagine the likely scenario ahead.
Fear brings fight or flight.
But with the support of the Father,
Jesus neither runs away nor arranges for his followers to attack,
but accepts his fate graciously.
In my times of fear I can turn to God to bring the grace of a calm acceptance of whatever comes.
We shall all need this grace at the hour of our death.
Today’s Prayer
Preparation: Begin by stilling, then dedicating the time of prayer to God and asking God that all you think, feel and imagine are for the glory of God.
Gift: Ask for what you desire. Suggestion: To get in touch with any paralysing fears I have in order to overcome them.
Setting: Imagine you are in the garden of Gethsemane as Jesus or one of the disciples, Peter, James and John, or one of the others.
Mark 14:32-38
Then they came to a place named Gethsemane,
and Jesus told His disciples, “Sit here while I pray.”
He took Peter, James, and John with Him, and He began to be deeply distressed and horrified.
Then He said to them, “My soul is swallowed up in sorrow —to the point of death.
Remain here and stay awake.”
Then He went a little farther, fell to the ground,
and began to pray that if it were possible, the hour might pass from Him.
And He said, “Abba, Father! All things are possible for You.
Take this cup away from Me.
Nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will.”
Then He came and found them sleeping. “Simon, are you sleeping?”
He asked Peter. “Couldn’t you stay awake one hour?
Stay awake and pray so that you won’t enter into temptation.
The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
Conversation: Talk to Christ in your own words as a friend or leader.
Final Prayer: End with a formal prayer such as the Lord’s Prayer/Our Father.
Today’s Music
Today’s Music: Gethsemane, written by Keith Getty and sung by Jon Mark Hester
Click for more music of Keith Getty