Jeremiah 1-2
1 Timothy 3
“Therefore He is able to save completely those who come to God through Him, because He always lives to intercede for them.” Hebrew 7:25
On the night of Jesus’s betrayal, He went to the Garden of Gethsemane after the Last Supper with His disciples. Many of us may recall that it was in the Garden of Gethsemane that Jesus prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from Me. Yet not as I will, but as You will” and “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may Your will be done” (Matthew 26:39, 42). Jesus was willing to submit to the Father’s will for what was about to take place.
Yet, Jesus was not alone in the Garden of Gethsemane; He brought along three disciples—Peter, James and John. He instructed them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray….My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with Me” (Matthew 26:36, 38). But what happened? Jesus came back and found His disciples sleeping. He exclaimed, “Couldn’t you men keep watch with Me for one hour?...Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak” (John 26:40-41). What was Jesus inviting His disciples into when He said, “Keep watch with Me”? Was Jesus asking them to guard Him against the bad people coming to arrest Him? No, Jesus knew exactly when that was happening and did not fear it; in fact, He even stopped His disciples from defending Him in any way.
Then, what did Jesus mean when He said, “Keep watch with Me”? He was inviting His disciples to watch Him as He prayed to the Father. He wanted them to see, to know and to experience this because this was not only the most challenging part of His life and ministry, but it was also going to be the most challenging part of their life and ministry. He wanted them to be prepared by having them see Him interceding and pleading before the Father for strength, wisdom and grace. He wanted that image seared into their hearts and minds so that they would remember this powerful, beautiful image of Jesus praying earnestly.
Romans 8:34 tells us, “Christ Jesus who died…who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.” Jesus knows the struggles we are going through and the battles we are fighting. Whatever it is that we are facing right now, may we hear the words of Jesus to His disciples, “Keep watch with Me,” and know that He is interceding for us.
Dear Jesus, what comfort it gives me to know that You are interceding on my behalf. In the difficulties of my life, I know I am not going through them alone. Thank You, Lord.
1 Timothy 3
“Therefore He is able to save completely those who come to God through Him, because He always lives to intercede for them.” Hebrew 7:25
On the night of Jesus’s betrayal, He went to the Garden of Gethsemane after the Last Supper with His disciples. Many of us may recall that it was in the Garden of Gethsemane that Jesus prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from Me. Yet not as I will, but as You will” and “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may Your will be done” (Matthew 26:39, 42). Jesus was willing to submit to the Father’s will for what was about to take place.
Yet, Jesus was not alone in the Garden of Gethsemane; He brought along three disciples—Peter, James and John. He instructed them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray….My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with Me” (Matthew 26:36, 38). But what happened? Jesus came back and found His disciples sleeping. He exclaimed, “Couldn’t you men keep watch with Me for one hour?...Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak” (John 26:40-41). What was Jesus inviting His disciples into when He said, “Keep watch with Me”? Was Jesus asking them to guard Him against the bad people coming to arrest Him? No, Jesus knew exactly when that was happening and did not fear it; in fact, He even stopped His disciples from defending Him in any way.
Then, what did Jesus mean when He said, “Keep watch with Me”? He was inviting His disciples to watch Him as He prayed to the Father. He wanted them to see, to know and to experience this because this was not only the most challenging part of His life and ministry, but it was also going to be the most challenging part of their life and ministry. He wanted them to be prepared by having them see Him interceding and pleading before the Father for strength, wisdom and grace. He wanted that image seared into their hearts and minds so that they would remember this powerful, beautiful image of Jesus praying earnestly.
Romans 8:34 tells us, “Christ Jesus who died…who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.” Jesus knows the struggles we are going through and the battles we are fighting. Whatever it is that we are facing right now, may we hear the words of Jesus to His disciples, “Keep watch with Me,” and know that He is interceding for us.
Dear Jesus, what comfort it gives me to know that You are interceding on my behalf. In the difficulties of my life, I know I am not going through them alone. Thank You, Lord.
← Older Post Newer Post →