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In
one corner of the Garden of Gethsemane (read Mark 14:32-42), Jesus falls
to the ground in agony, saying "My soul is exceedingly
troubled." He pours His heart's desire out to the Father; "If
it be possible, take this cup of suffering from me. But your will, not
mint, be done."
In
another corner of the garden, the disciples sleep. Peter, James and John
were invited to be near at that moment, but they drifted off. Were they
tired, insensitive or just unaware? Regardless, Jesus must have felt let
down. He awakens the disciples with these words: "Watch and pray,
lest you enter into temptation."
Watch.
Pay attention. Stay alert. Be sensitive to all that is happening around
you. Who loves you, who needs you and what does the Lord ask of you? Look
in the mirror. Know your weaknesses, confess your vulnerabilities. Above
all, keep your eyes on Jesus. He won't fall asleep on you. Far from it,
he'll do anything for you. He'll even die for you.
Pray.
Talk to God. Use Jesus' name. Nothing you can say will surprise Him. He
already knows your secrets, so open up. Ask for advise. Seek council.
Thank Him for the good, trust Him through the bad.
"Watch
and pray." It's a wake-up call from our Savior. It's an
instructive invitation to sleepy disciples of every age. And for us it
comes at an appropriate time, as Lent moves into Holy Week and leads us to
Easter.
Each
Wednesday, at 5:30 pm, gather with the community of faith at St.
Armands Key for special worship. A simple Lenten meal of soup and bread
will follow worship.
A
word about Lent: Just as the Israelites spent 40 years in the
wilderness before entering the Promised Land - and as Jesus spent 40 days
in the wilderness being tempted by the Satan before his ministry began -
so Christians spend 40 days (plus Sundays) before Easter in special
reflection as we focus upon the meaning of the cross and the discipleship.
Be
encouraged in your own Lenten journey this year!
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St.
Armands Key Lutheran Church
