DAD'S RAMBLINGS – SUPPORT IN TIMES OF DISTRESS
"Then they came to a place which was named Gethsemane; and He said to His disciples, 'Sit here while I pray.' And He took Peter, James, and John with Him, and He began to be troubled and deeply distressed. Then He said to them, 'My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch.' " (Mark 14:32-34)
Jesus was fully God but He was also fully human. He knew what was soon to come His way. He had predicted His suffering, His crucifixion, and His death many times to His disciples. Now the time had come. He knew that this was the appointed hour. And not just the physical torture, but the spiritual agony of carrying our sins and paying the penalty that was justly ours. He who knew no sin was about to become sin for us.
All of this caused Him great distress. He needed His disciples to be there for him in His time of distress. He took the three disciples who were closest to Him and asked them to stay alert. They could not carry His burden, but they be a support to Him through this difficult time.
Scripture admonishes us to bear one another's burdens and fulfill the law of Christ (Galatians 6:2). But in the same breath, Paul said that each one shall bear his own load (vs. 5). The truth is that I cannot experience the sorrow, the grief, the distress of another person. It is their burden. I may have sympathy but I cannot take their load. All I can do is be there as a support to them when they go through their trial. And no one can carry my burden. It is mine to carry but it is good to know that there are others who are standing with me in my ordeal to give me their encouragement and prayers of support.
Peter, James, and John slept through this time of struggle. They apparently did not understand the depth of Jesus' distress. May God help us to be sensitive to other people's distress so that we can be the support to them as they go through their valleys, because we may need someone to support us in our time of trouble.
Love, Dad
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