Life’s Darkest Hour…But…

“Father, if you will, please don’t make me suffer…” This is Christ, fully aware of the importance of what he is about to accomplish, but also fully aware of the suffering about to be imposed. His words underscore the depth and intensity of this hour of darkness. Scourging, denial, mockery and hours of excruciating pain and torture. Verse 44 gives us a glimpse of the magnitude of this horror when it tells us “his sweat fell to the ground like drops of blood.”

But Jesus “got up from praying”, thankfully for all mankind, with a determination to complete the task.

After some brief bravado from the disciples and a rebuke, Christ turns to those who came looking for him.

He confronts them with the darkness that they are bent on participating in. They could have arrested him in the temple, but had to slink around in the night in a rather remote place, hiring someone to betray him, even using weapons. He forces them to face up to this treatment of him as a criminal.

Then, matter-of-factly, he acknowledges, “This is your time and darkness is in control”.

Looking back on this story, we solemnly work through the events leading up to these words.

However, knowing that these words only refer to a brief period of time, we begin to feel an excitement in the realization that there is an unsaid BUT following.

When I read this, I hear the echo of Tony Campolo shouting in his famous audio sermon, “It’s Friday….But Sunday’s a Coming!”

I doubt that even the graphic depiction of these hours and subsequent crucifixion scenes in the 2004 movie “The Passion of the Christ” provide the measure of darkness of the scene in the garden.

But I also know that Hollywood could never begin to depict the power and glory of the Resurrection!

Respond in Prayer

Father, in my darkest hours, I acknowledge the greater suffering you endured and rely on your grace. Give me a glimpse of the glory of your resurrection that I might take comfort and be built in my faith and reliance on you.

Laurie Cook