Daily Devotions
Jesus fell on His face. Prayer doesn’t get more desperate than that. And I am so glad that the Gospels show us our Savior that way—deeply troubled, crying out to God—because it means Jesus has been there, right where I’ve been—right where I’m terrified I’ll have to go again.
Look at what He does. He goes to Gethsemane, though He knows absolutely He’ll be leaving that place under arrest. He takes His three closest friends and begs them to stay alert while He prays. And He only makes it a little further before He falls on His face.
“Father,” He cries. “If possible, let Me not have to go through with this.” But He could not avoid it. Because what was at stake was us—you, and me, and everyone who needs a Savior. It was Him or us. And He chose to have it be Him.
Because of Jesus, none of us has to go through Gethsemane alone. We may suffer, we will certainly die—but we’ll do it with Jesus beside us, holding us up, carrying us in His love. We’ll do it with the sure and certain promise of everlasting life—because Jesus died and rose again for our sake, to save us and make us His own forever.
WE PRAY: Stay with me, Lord! Amen.
Reflection Questions:
* When you’re desperate, how do you pray?
* When have you had to choose between your own suffering and someone else’s?
* What does Jesus’ choice tell you about His feelings for you?
Lenten Devotions were written by Dr. Kari Vo.