As we approach Easter Sunday, I’d like to invite you to pause and ponder Christ’s journey to the cross, through this Lenten Reflections series.  For each of the days leading up to Easter, I’ll post a daily reflection to guide you during these next two weeks.  Each reflection includes a Bible passage, questions for personal reflection, and a closing prayer.  As you read each day’s reflection, I encourage you to slow down, take a deep breath, and enter into the time with an openness to experiencing Christ’s journey with new eyes.

For the last two years I have been working on a project, as part of my job, to help create a permanent stations of the cross art installation.  All art work is the creation of local artist Lance Jost and each station is based on the Gospel narrative of Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection.  The images used in this series all come from the art work created for the retreat center.  For information on visiting Journey with Jesus, click here.

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Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane

Matthew 26:36-39 (NIV):

Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled.  Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”

Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”

Questions:

Can you imagine what it would have been like to be in the garden that night, knowing what was to come?

What would your response be?

When have have you chosen to risk and say “yes” to God’s calling?

Prayer:

Father, what an agonizing moment it was for Jesus when he said “yes” to the cross.  Help me to say “yes” to your will, even when it costs all I have.