Thursday, March 7, 2013
Matthew 26:40 Then He came to the disciples and found them sleeping.
LOVE AT GETHSEMANE (4)
Those disciples didn't really understand what was happening. They were worn out and sad from all that Jesus had told them that evening. So sitting quietly for so long just watching Jesus praying was too much for them and they fell asleep. How does the Love at Gethsemane affect you? What do you feel when you witness Jesus, pleading and praying, sweating profusely, and then going forward boldly to such torment? For me, it produces a strange mixture of deep sorrow -- to the point of weeping -- together with the most sublime joy and warm comfort.
When I see the infinite love Jesus has for me, to bear all my sins in that way, and then realize I have sinned against Him even after knowing this, that leads me to a sense of bitter sorrow and shame. Doesn't that make you want to cry because of what you have done to the One who loves you so? Jesus' love, which came not to condemn us but to be condemned for us, melts our hearts into sorrowful repentance. How could I treat Him, of all people, so? Yet, this is a very blessed sorrow. Because the love of Jesus overcomes our sin and our sorrow. He shows us that His death on the cross has perfectly and completely taken our sins away and destroyed them. Jesus bids us not to be afraid or sad for Him. He wanted to suffer in your place. He wanted to save you from your sinful nature. He shows us that He still loves us in spite of our sins. His love and forgiveness now fills our hearts with peace and joy.
It is a sublime joy to know that Jesus sees us at our worst and still loves us so much that He was ready to die so that we could live with Him forever. That gives a joy that goes deep down into our hearts.
I recall talking with a woman once who said that she really didn't like the Lenten season. It was too somber. She preferred the more joyful, upbeat seasons of the church year. That's a very human feeling. Yet, if we do not feel the somber and sorrowful realization of our sins and the price paid for those sins, we will never fully know or enjoy the great depth of Jesus' love and the deep joy it gives. May we never sleep in indifference again, but live in joyful service to our Savior and Lord.
