Lent 2021 - TURNING POINT

Tuesday, March 30th

Broken & Poured Out
Matthew 26:36-46 - Written by Patty Skwirut

Read Matthew 26:36-46.

It’s a troubling scene. As he is praying in the garden of Gethsemane, Jesus says, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death.” (v. 38) We’ve never seen him like this before! The cross is ahead of him; he will be
arrested tonight. Jesus just shared the last supper, where he told the disciples his body was the broken bread, and his blood was the wine, poured out for them. Our humanity sees the physical torture of the cross, but Jesus sees what we can’t really imagine. Jesus doesn’t say he is afraid, as we would be. He says he is sorrowful. Webster defines sorrow as “deep distress, especially for the loss of someone loved.” His sorrow is for us! His agony is knowing that our sinfulness will eternally separate us from God, from him - the loss of someone dearly loved. The cup he will drink now holds the full wrath of God - a spiritual separation that will make him cry out “My God, my God! Why have you forsaken me?” (Matt 27:46) Yes, his body will be broken, but his suffering in the garden is about so much more. It is for our sin, because he alone understands the despair of eternal separation from the Father. He chooses to bear that separation in our place, and his willingness to accept God’s plan reflects his great love for us. He will be broken and poured out because of it. What can we do with such an overwhelming love? How can we respond, except to fall into it, to be broken ourselves and poured out for Him? Spend time today in the garden with Jesus. Feel the great love expressed in his grief, and respond with your love and gratitude in return.

 

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