The Cure To Stress is Him
Stress Series
“Where can we turn to find some stability in the midst of such uncertainty?”
“37 He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38 Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”
39 Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”
40 Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. 41 “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
42 He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.”
43 When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. 44 So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing.”
Explanation:
The climax of Jesus’ mission is upon him, and he is feeling its immense weight. As his ministry began in the desert being tempted by the Devil, he is once again thwarting the Devil’s temptation to avoid the cross – this time in his most vulnerable state. Nevertheless, despite his immense stress and anxiety, Jesus lays his life in his Father’s hands. He does not look for a way out but accepts that it is the Father’s will that he be handed over to suffer and die at the hands of the people he has come to save.
Connection:
Stress is one of the few certainties in life. What's more, the unprecedented times we are living through have created more problems than we know what to do with. The present public health crisis has created chaos and has upended the way of life we have all grown accustomed to. There is massive job loss, school closures, and fear of coming down with the illness itself. No government or authority is able to offer much in terms of outlook or comfort. The few things the government can do to help are often not nearly enough. Stress begins to climb, and suicide, addiction, and domestic violence along with it. What is one to do? Where can we turn to find some stability in the midst of such uncertainty?
Fortunately, we who follow Jesus have a God who understands what it is likely to feel the pressure. He himself has been in the most stressful of situations - facing the immense anxiety of what was about to happen to him. There, alone in Gethsemane, Jesus had to come to terms that the cup would not pass him. Jesus, through the help of the spirit, took God's cup of wrath on our behalf. He drank of it, that we might be able to find rest and peace in the midst of our own times in the Gethsemanes of our own life. Here, alone with God, we can be confident that he hears our cries, for he has been there himself. We can cast our burdens upon him, knowing that he is the true rock that does not move - and upon which the waves of life all crash against. Therefore, rejoice and be glad -for he who stands upon the rock will not be moved.
1. Break Away -
Jesus perceived he was under great duress, and so he made the decision to break away from the group and retreat to pray. It is here where Jesus was able to acquire the strength to withstand the pressure of what was about to transpire. Often, it is a good idea to retreat to our own places of refuge when we are under a great deal of stress (ex. Matthew 6:6). This allows us to connect with God while recuperating from stressful situations.
2. Meditate on the Word -
Although at times we feel so far away from him, God tells us that he is our "refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble" (Psalm 46:1). Because of this, we can take refuge behind the walls of his love, knowing there we can have true peace.
3. Trust in God -
It is difficult to imagine the pressure that Jesus felt. He was about to undergo unthinkable suffering - as well as separation from his Father. Yet, Jesus resisted the urge to avoid the crucifixion, and instead entrusted himself entirely to his Father's will, trusting that he would be vindicated in the end. Through this life, we will also reach several impasses. Sometimes, we too will want to set aside our crosses for something a bit less demanding. Yet, Jesus urges us to bear our crosses (Mark 8:34), knowing that he has not abandoned nor forsaken us - but is present eternally in our suffering, through which he communes with us.