A Journey with Jesus to the Cross and Beyond
Tricia McCary Rhodes
DAY SIX -- Resolution
Without Gethsemane, there would have been no Golgotha. The blood and water that flowed from His wounds on the cross were preceded by bloody sweat that poured from His pores as He suffered the agony of a death more painful than the physical death on the cross, the death of the will.
Michael Card
Reflect
Be still and know that God is present both within you through His Spirit and around you. Settle yourself for a few minutes with this thought. Welcome Him in your own words.
Read and/or sing the following old hymn as a prayer, preparing your heart to contemplate the Cross of Christ today.
O Love Divine, What Hast Thou Done?
Charles Wesley, 1742 Public Domain
O Love divine, what hast thou done!
The immortal God hath died for me!
The Father's co-eternal Son
bore all my sins upon the tree.
Th'immortal God for me hath died:
My Lord, my Love, is crucified!
Is crucified for me and you,
to bring us rebels back to God.
Believe, believe the record true,
ye all are bought with Jesus' blood.
Pardon for all flows from His side:
My Lord, my Love, is crucified!
Behold Him, all ye that pass by,
the bleeding Prince of life and peace!
Come, sinners, see your Savior die,
and say, "Was ever grief like His?"
Come, feel with me His blood applied:
My Lord, my Love, is crucified!
Read
Arise, let us be going, behold the one who betrays me is at hand.
Matthew 26:46
Resolution. With forceful voice and rapid stride Jesus returns from his final time of prayer, startling the dreaming disciples. Displaying a determination that eluded him a few minutes ago, he charges the impending doom, Gethsemane's agony behind him. Arise, let us be going; behold the one who betrays me is at hand!
Exactly when did Jesus recover from his saga of tears and bloody sweat? Did he spring to his feet at some point, or struggle to stand, stamina spreading slowly throughout his limbs?
The three look around in confusion. For the past week, hope and dismay have taken turns tossing them about as they watched and listened to their teacher. A few hours back he shared Seder with them -- a precious memory tainted only by talk of a betrayer. But on the walk here to the Mount, he promised he'd be with them forever.
Moments ago, through their groggy sleep they'd heard agonized weeping, yet now he strides toward them. Arise, let us be going; behold the one who betrays me is at hand! This is no weak resignation to fate.
What propels him forward with such gritty tenacity? Does Jesus find strength in his compassion even for those gathering at the bottom of the hill, intent on his destruction? Did something of cosmic significance occur as he cried the third time, "Your will be done?" Did the heavens shake while angels sang songs of joy? Or did the moonlit sky echo back with Sovereign silence?
Nothing has really changed. The plan is the same. The stage is set, props put into place. The lead supporting actor executes the final details of his role as betrayer. And players move into position for the drama of all centuries.
Respond
What do you think went through Jesus' mind as he spoke the words; "Arise let us be going, the one who betrays me is at hand"? What emotions might he have been experiencing as he prepared for his own arrest? What kinds of thoughts do you think filled his mind? Spend a few minutes considering these things.
At least three times in the past Jesus had described his final fate to uncomprehending disciples, speaking with great urgency: And He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things. (Mark 8:31).
How do you think you might have felt upon hearing these things? On one occasion Peter was so distraught he took Jesus aside and insisted He not talk that way. Jesus rebuked Peter, then turned to the crowd and admonished them: If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel's will save it. (Mark 8:33-34)
Read Jesus' response aloud. Hear Him speaking these words to you as if you were the only one left with Him that day. What is he saying about your own life? What will it mean for you to accompany him on the rest of this painful journey?
Respond in prayer to the challenge Jesus gives here. Write it out in your prayer journal.
A Prayer
Dearest Redeemer, even now you lead the way to your execution. Will I follow as you take up Your Cross? Your strength sobers me, and I wonder how you prepared for this moment. I look at your determination to obey and weak excuses die on my lips. I want to walk with you still, though I wonder how close I can stay as you move to your death. If I turn back, remind me of this moment when you set your face like flint to the stormy seas that awaited you.
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Copyright © 2004 Tricia McCary Rhodes