Sunday Is ComingSýnishorn

GOOD FRIDAY

Can you imagine what must have been going through the mind of Jesus at this moment? Although fully God, He was also fully human. His emotions and stress levels were likely at an all-time high. Hours before His death, Jesus took His disciples with Him to pray and prepare for what was to come.

There are two key thoughts to consider when reading these passages. In verse 39, we see Jesus' conversation with the Father, where He makes a deep, heartfelt request: "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me." Notice the semicolon after Jesus made this request. This indicates that Jesus waited for a response to His appeal. When there was no answer from the Father, Jesus said the following, "Yet not as I will, but as You will." This moment of agonizing prayer records the first time the Father did not respond to the Son. Though God could have answered and granted Jesus' request, His plan for the world was to give His only Son to save humanity from their sins.

The second thought to consider is found in verses 40, 43, and 45. After praying, Jesus returned to find His disciples asleep instead of praying with Him. It was in these moments that Jesus found Himself alone, without an answer from His Father and the support of His disciples. Loneliness fell upon Him just hours before His death.

This story is significant because it reminds us that we, too, will face our own “moments in the garden” as Jesus did. In times of trial, it may feel as though no one is around. Your church family may seem silent and not around, your friends might not answer your calls, and even your individual family may seem distant. It might feel as though your prayers are hitting a brick wall instead of being heard by God. Have you ever felt this way?

In our garden moments, it often feels as though everyone has failed us, even those we consider family and friends. We may feel as if God is too busy to listen, but this is far from the truth. A "garden moment" doesn't mean that people have failed you or that God isn't listening. Garden moments are when God wants you to be alone in His presence, without anyone else by your side. It’s in the garden moments that He wants our undivided attention. Where all thought, focus, and hope is placed solely on Him. He wants you to trust Him, even when you don't feel Him or see others around you. Don’t mistake God's silence for inactivity—He is working on your behalf in ways that aren’t meant for you to understand right now. He loves you too much to leave you hanging.

So instead of blaming your church for not being there, your pastor for not calling, your friends for not understanding, or your family for being distant, honor the Lord in the garden! You are there for just a short time. Thursday evening may have been dark for Jesus, and Friday must have been overwhelming as He went to the cross. Yet, through it all, He knew that Sunday was coming!

TODAY’S PRAYER: Father God, in the name of Jesus, see me through my garden moments. Even when I don’t feel You, I know You are with me. I trust in You alone. Thank you for teaching me to trust You. I know my Sunday is coming! In Jesus name, amen.