My dad was an extrovert extraordinaire and often the life of social events. He was deeply dedicated to the cause of Christ, the work of the Church, and had a tremendous love for community at large where he lived. He was my dad first, and the Pastor of the church I grew up in second. Certainly, he had his flaws like the rest of us, but was a really good dad, a well-respected Pastor, and a well-known community figure. He also had a third role of importance… he was the “town Pastor.” He did tons of funerals, weddings, and counseling for people all over our city who were not in our church. He was on the city council for a few years too. My dad passed away in 2008, but even after all these years there are people in that town in Texas who to this day affectionally refer to him as “Brother Bill” (his name was Bill Arnold – and that reference was very much a southern affectionate term).
With all the caring that dad displayed to many, he had some funny and unique quirks as well. He HATED getting shots! You know, the ones you get at the doctor’s office. A few times in his life when the shot was required, he would pass out on the floor. During the height of his caring for the city he was asked to lead the city-wide campaign for a blood drive. “Let’s all give blood so we can show our care for those who need it!” was his slogan. My dad was happy to be the city chairman for the blood drive and cheer on everyone else to show up, lay out their arm, give blood and save lives…. But there was no way he was going to open up his arm for a needle. He famously became the only chairman of the blood drive that was unwilling to give blood himself! They had the most successful blood drive in their history, but it DID NOT INCLUDE my dad’s blood – the chairman of the drive!
This Sunday I will be teaching from the story of Jesus’ anguish He went through before He went to the cross and shed His blood. Of course, I’m referring to Jesus’ agony prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane. It is totally trivial, foolish and petty for me to compare my dad’s fear of giving blood to the agony that Jesus experienced in that famous Garden of Gethsemane prayer. But maybe this helps us shape our minds around this famous prayer from that famous garden. Before you come to worship with your Church family I want you to spend time reading and contemplating this story we will focus on Sunday morning: Mark 14:32-42
Notice in this story these profound phrases…
- He was distressed and troubled (Mark 14:33)
- He was overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death (Mark 14:34)
- He prayed: “Take this cup from me” (Mark 14:36)
- He prayed: “But not my will, but your will be done” (Mark 14:36)
You can find this story is found in all four of the Gospels. The book of John he writes four chapters about it (John 14, 15, 16, & 17). Mark keeps it simple yet profound. In the Garden of Gethsemane Jesus was severely tempted to back down from His mission. I will state this in my sermon on Sunday, but the real agony that Jesus had in this in this Garden of Gethsemane was a greater agony than His being hung on the cross. On display in the Garden was the undeniable temptation to be the champion of God’s grace without giving blood Himself. But thank you God He did not back down. See you Sunday morning as we study God’s Word together.
