March 2024
Our days are filled with temptations ourselves to take “an easier way” or having to deal with the results of others taking “an easier way”. Perhaps there is an area of conflict with your husband or wife or parents or children that needs to be resolved, but facing it together honestly is avoided, or everyone involved just tries to get their own way. That seems easier than really trying to work it out. Perhaps there is a situation where someone is hurting and you know it could make a difference if you reached out, but you don’t. It seems easier to stay away. After all, you might feel the weight of the heavy load yourself if you got involved.
When Jesus considered the suffering ahead as he would face the power of sin, death and Satan during Holy Week, he said, “I am too deeply troubled now to know how to express my feelings. Should I say, ‘Father, save me from this time of suffering? No! I came for this time of suffering. Father, give glory to your name.’” (John 12:27-28)
We need to realize that the desire to keep away from the challenges that honest struggle with hard issues and situations causes is real and human. Jesus, who was fully human, struggled with this. During his time of prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane, he sweat blood as he considered what was ahead of him and asked his Father to take the cup of suffering away from him. An angel from heaven had to appear and give him strength. (Luke 22:41-44) Don’t ever harshly condemn yourself or quickly judge others for struggling with this! It is hard to honestly face difficult situations when it is so tempting to take “an easier way”.
But Jesus went forward and did what he was called to do. His overriding concern was to give glory to God. He most certainly did!
Giving glory to God through our actions isn’t always our overriding concern. Giving glory to God isn’t always the overriding concern of others. Peter, the disciple, wasn’t “there for Jesus” when Jesus really needed him in the Garden of Gethsemane. Peter fell asleep while Jesus was sweating blood in prayer. Jesus said to him, “Couldn’t you stay awake with me for one hour? Stay awake and pray that you won’t be tempted. You want to do what’s right, but you’re weak.” (Matthew 26:40-41) Peter kept falling asleep. Some never wake up to what it means to act on an overriding concern to give glory to God rather than taking “an easier way”.
The Good News is that the act of Jesus on the cross grants us forgiveness and new life in him. Peter knew the power of this forgiveness and new life. He learned not to rely on himself when he had a hard time facing difficult situations or facing the hurt when others were not there for him. Listen to what he writes. Take it to heart from someone who really knows.
“Turn all your anxiety over to God because he cares for you. Keep your mind clear and be alert. Your opponent the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion as he looks for someone to devour. Be firm in the faith and resist him, knowing that other believers throughout the world are going through the same kind of suffering. God, who shows you his kindness and who has called you through Christ Jesus to his eternal glory, will restore you, strengthen you, make you strong, and support you as you suffer for a little while. Power belongs to him forever. Amen.” (1 Peter 5:7-11)
Spreading, Serving and Sharing with You, Pastor Carl