It is the time of year when soft colors come out and children search for eggs in the yard. When those that may never grace the pews of a church attend. A time of candy and family, fun and food, a time to celebrate our risen Savior.
The Gospels give an account of the death, burial, and resurrection of our Savior and Lord Jesus. Accounts that many of us have read, heard, or been taught from the time we were young.
As we begin, what do you say we reflect on this night two thousand years ago. Jesus has concluded His final meal with those that are closest to Him. They closed the time with the breaking of the bread and the drinking of the wine. Making their way to a grove of olive trees, the garden called Gethsemane, Jesus asked that they would watch and pray. Going a stone’s throw away, our Lord prays to His Father. Coming back Jesus finds His disciples asleep.
Asleep at a time like this, the gravity of their slumber resounds through time. Don’t they realize the time in which they live? The moment, that very moment was a time prophets had spoken of, heaven had waited for, a moment that was to forever shape the future. How can you sleep at a time like that??? We would not be sleeping, would we? We would be up praying, interceding, watching, and waiting. Knowing God’s glory was about to be seen, salvation realized, redemption paid and the veil that separated God and man torn asunder. That’s what we would be doing, that’s what we would have done…
Or is it?
When I stop and consider the price paid. Not in the blood of goats or bulls, not even the blood of a normal man, but the blood of God, the blood of the Word become flesh, the blood of God’s very creative power at work. How precious the price! And what could be purchased at such a high and costly price? Why salvation, of course. Salvation that brings light to the darkness, life to the dead and God’s glory to a lump of clay. It brings healing to the sick, peace to the hurting, joy to the sad, liberty to the captive. Literally, the list could go on, and on, and on. This is what was purchased at such a high price.
Now is when this blog gets real, so buckle on your big boy pants because this may hurt a little. When Jesus looks at His modern day disciples and the price that was paid, the promises that have been guaranteed. When he sees the epic and supreme moment in which said disciples live. Realizing a need that is so great, a battle so fierce; yet the ability to win, to overcome.
Does He find in you a disciple that is simply sleeping in the garden?