We think of Jesus as all powerful. He is!
So it may be a little unnerving to see Him in the role of needing anyone but God. It might be even more disturbing to us to see Him in mental anguish, so much so that He sweat drops of blood.
We think of Jesus’ only temptation as His desert experience. But I wonder if His greatest temptation came in The Garden of Gethsemane.
He was staring a very painful death in the face. It was imminent. Of course He knew He would soon be sitting at the Right Hand of God, but it was not going to be easy to get there.
I have not experienced what Jesus did, but I have wondered what I might have to go through on the way to Glory. I was a nurse for many years … a labor coach of sorts … as I walked with many who suffered on their way Home.
In His hour of preparation, Jesus called for backup.
Then Jesus went with His Disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and He said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.”
He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with Him, and He began to be sorrowful and troubled.
Then He said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with Me.”
Matthew 26:36-38
In so doing, Jesus humbled Himself.
And He gave a lesson that will save many of us today if we are willing to do what Jesus did.
Humble ourselves. Tell someone, “I need help.”
Jesus was also inviting His Disciples to connect with Him in prayer. They would share part of His Pain, but they would also share in His Forthcoming Victory.
If we suffer, we shall also reign with Him.
2 Timothy 2:12
We have been very blessed to have a kind, compassionate doctor. He has been an Instrument of God’s Peace and Healing many times.
He has concluded every visit by holding our hands and praying for us. The Presence of Jesus radiates from him.
Today was no different except for one very significant difference. He was in a wheelchair. His grip on our hands was not quite as strong. He prayed for us, but in all humility, he asked for our prayers.
He has been diagnosed with ALS.
As a doctor, he knows the potential hard road ahead of him. Given a choice, he would have taken another way home.
But he said with faith, “God knows The Plan He has for me. It is all for His Glory.”
And so it is. He plans to continue working in whatever way God calls him. We ask for your prayers for our dear friend. His name is Brad.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways, acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6
