Resurrection Sunday overshadows the events leading up to the empty tomb. But a few days prior to going to the cross, Jesus retreated for a time of intense prayer. More than the physical torture, Jesus struggled with taking on the sins of the world. Perfect God deluged with every deed and nuance of every sinful human—past, present and future.

Jesus suffered all alone. His closest disciples fell asleep. Only he recognized the profound significance of the coming events. Anguish so intense he sweat blood, with no one to lean on for comfort.

And they went to a place called Gethsemane…he began to be greatly distressed and troubled. And he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death. Remain here and watch.” And going a little farther, he fell on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. And he said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” 

I came across the above painting recently that depicts the intense loneliness and emotional pain Jesus Christ endured as He prayed before his arrest and crucifixion. The artist (Nikolai Ge) depicts our Savior in distress, asking God the Father to remove the cup. Yet from the garden Jesus moved willingly to his humiliation and death. May this haunting portrayal remind us of the lengths Jesus took to secure our souls in him. We truly serve an amazing God.

Luke 14:32-42

See the book Come…meet Jesus for more paintings depicting the life of Christ

When I was in college, I always tried to study for major exams with guys from fraternities. At Mizzou most fraternities kept a large “test file.” Past members left their graded papers for the aid of future students. Professors often reused questions when teaching the same class semester after semester. An ecology professor added only one new question per test, the rest being repeats. The file for his course proved invaluable. Needless to say, my buddy and I scored well.

After days in the wilderness, hungry and alone, Jesus faced a tripartite test of temptation. Fortunately, Jesus knew where to find answers to the exam.

Every time Satan made an offer, Jesus hit back with a line of Scripture. For instance, realizing Jesus was hungry, Satan challenged him to turn stones into bread. Simple for the creator of the world, right? Jesus argued, man shall not live by bread alone, a quote from the book of Deuteronomy.

Jesus could have swatted Satan away. But he faced temptations in his human body to help us see what’s possible. We too can overcome attacks from the evil one, if we know the Scriptures and apply them properly. The Word of God parries the thrusts of our enemies—the world, the flesh and the devil.

When temptations arrive, you and I may feel unprepared or blindsided. But rest assured, we have answers to every test. They’re in that file we label the Bible. Let the Word of God defend and sustain you, and you’ll score well as life goes on.

Luke 4:1-13; Deuteronomy 8:3

Photo by Museums Victoria

I hardly remember being 12 years old. I was in the 3rd grade (just kidding!). Actually, more like the start of junior high school. A child that age enters puberty and all that’s familiar begins to morph. It’s the opening steps on a path to adulthood. Still a kid, but on the cusp of change.

At the age of 12, Jesus and his extended family traveled to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover Feast. When they started home, Jesus stayed behind among the teachers in the temple. He asked questions and discussed topics from the Scriptures. These teachers, we’re told, were amazed at his understanding and his answers.

Mary and Joseph soon discovered their son was missing from the entourage and returned to Jerusalem, frantically searching for Jesus. It took three days to discover him in the temple surrounded by clerics and professors. Not impressed by this impromptu seminar, Mary exclaimed, Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been searching for you in great distress! Jesus answers as his 12 year old self: Why were you looking for me?

This response reveals both the divinity and the humanity of Jesus. Jesus added, Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house? He was drawn to the temple, the nation’s center of worship. Discussing the ways of the Lord with dedicated and learned teachers scratched an itch for Jesus. Ironically, years later he would debate many of these teachers on this very same spot.

But while Jesus reveled in the intellectual stimulation, Mary and Joseph ran all over town, scared they had lost the Messiah. When they finally burst into the room, Jesus replied like most 12 year olds with panicked parents—What’s the big deal? I was here all the time. Adult Jesus would have consoled his mother. 12 year old Jesus not so much.

I love that Luke included this snippet in his gospel narrative. Jesus returned home with his parents who, after their hearts stopped racing, took careful note of this interaction. Luke tells us that Jesus went home and continued to increase in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man. He was helped along the way by a father and mother with a few more gray hairs, ones who reminded him to please let them know ahead of time before he took off on another overnight with the boys.

Luke 2:41-52

Photo by Europeana

The two greatest resources available to the Christian are the Holy Scriptures and the Holy Spirit. My Bible sits close by, easy to pick up, but the Holy Spirit remains mysterious. Jesus promised the gift of the Holy Spirit, who he also referred to as the Helper and Spirit of Truth. I know one thing I need in this cacophonous world is a trusted source of truth.

The Holy Spirit appears in the Bible literally from day one: In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.

The Spirit of God anticipated the acts of creation. In the Spirit’s presence light dawned for the first time. The stars aligned, plants formed, animals emerged, and humankind stepped into the garden—the Spirit of God present step by step.

In much the same way the Spirit of God hovers over our world. The Holy Spirit remains quietly at hand, ready to illuminate my life with the wisdom of God and the fruit produced by his hand: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. I just need to ask him to shine in the dark corners of my life and empower me to follow his will.

We cannot see him, but the Spirit of God hovers near at hand. Ask him to light up your life and see where the Spirit takes you.

Genesis 1:1-3; John 14:16-17; Galatians 5:22-23

Photo by Shubhankar Bhowmick