The Wilderness and Restoration – Day 4

“They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” ~Mark 14:32

Today, many people will be attending Maundy Thursday services at church. It’s a traditional service that portrays the events of Jesus’ Last Supper with his disciples, and will usually include an opportunity to have your feet or hands washed just as Jesus washed his disciples’ feet. This service also includes sharing in communion with one another and the service ending with the details of events leading up to Jesus’ crucifixion. This is service is referred to as “Tenebrae” (/ˈtɛ.nə.breɪ/ or /ˈtɛ.nə.bri/[1]—Latin for “darkness”) it consists of liturgy and prayers of/for the last three days of Holy Week: Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday. The purpose of the service is to recreate the betrayal, abandonment and agony of the events and it is left unfinished, because the story isn’t over until Easter Day. This time of Tenebrae or “growing darkness” is a moving experience, an encounter with the passion of Christ.

The verse today takes us to Gethsemane, the garden where Jesus goes to pray and to seek God’s Will, His Father’s Will. Jesus goes off alone, into the wilderness of doubt, grief and longing. Jesus, while in the midst of His wilderness of His struggle He seeks to do His Father’s Will, knowing that He must suffer. Jesus openly expressed His pain and anguish with God and allowed God’s plan to be fully realized in himself.

Mark 14:35-36, “Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. “Abba, Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.”

When we take up our cross, we, too, accept whatever part we might have to play in the restoration of this world.

When has God said no to your prayers?

What did you discover in the answer?

Breath Prayer: Thy Will, Lord; not mine.

~Blessings and Peace~

References:
https://www.biblegateway.com
Pamphlet: The Sanctuary For Lent (By: Katie Z. Dawson)