Many of us experience disappointment in our friends and people we are close to. We think we can depend on them to help us in either a very tough situation or just a simple favor and they are not present.
I see that Jesus had a situation towards the end of his time on earth, just like this! I thought that after all the time He spent with His disciples, that they would be present for Him in His time of need.
Jesus took Peter, James and John with Him to the Garden of Gethsamane. He was close to His disciples and I’m sure He felt that He could count on them to be there at a time of great need. See, Jesus was in great turmoil. Jesus even admitted to them ” My soul is swallowed up in sorrow- to the point of death” He asked them to remain in the garden and stay awake!
Jesus went a bit further and actually fell down!!!! He began to pray “if it is possible, the hour pass from Him. He said “Abba, Father! All things are possible for You. Take this cup away from Me. Nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will.”
I can’t imagine the grief and pain He was going through! It seems that because Jesus is in human form, God’s Son, part of the trinity, He is SO strong, spiritually, mentally, emotionally and physically! Why would He be bothered by all of this? He is completely omnipotent! He still had needs though! And He had a need for His disciples to support Him in an incredibly difficult time in His earthly life. He knew what was ahead! He even asked Abba, Father, that if it was possible, to take this away! But, He said, …” not what I will, but what You will.”
So, He asked the three disciples, Peter, James and John to sit here (in the garden) while He prayed. After He spent the first time praying, He found them sleeping! He asked Peter “…are you sleeping? Couldn’t you stay awake for one hour? Stay awake and pray so that you won’t enter into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
So He went away, praying and said the same thing. He went looking for them and again!!! What are they doing? Sleeping!!! Imagine Jesus’ disappointment! They just could not keep their eyes open!
Now, I understand tired! I am easily fatigued! But why would His disciples not be available for Him when He asked them to be?
So now, a third time Jesus went away to pray! He came back and what do you think was going on? You guessed it, they were Sleeping! Jesus replied “Enough”!!! I can only imagine what He must feel by then! He now says “ Look, the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners, Get up, let’s go, See, my betrayer is near.” Jesus had… Enough!!!
I wonder, what tone or intensity His voice was by this point? Do we feel this way ever? Yes, we do!
Why? We aren’t perfect like Jesus was and He had enough of friends( disciples) who just ” dropped the ball!”
While we try and understand circumstances people are dealing with, we still are disappointed when we don’t feel we are important to someone in what we are facing.
So, how do we respond when we are disappointed in people? I see Jesus speaking the truth, but doing it in love, because as God, He was perfect and about to give His life for the sins of the whole world. That is an incredible demonstration of love! Ephesians 4:15 states “Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of Him who is the head, that is Christ”
Before this verse, in Ephesians 4, the context of this passage speaks of ” living a life worthy of the calling you have received.” Paul urges us to be gentle, patient, make every effort to keep unity in the bond of peace.”
He then says,” Then we will be no longer infants, tossed back and forth by the waves and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming, But instead, speak the truth...
It’s acceptable to be truthful, to be honest, but do it in love!
In our current time in history, so many don’t believe that speaking the truth is acceptable. Many want to hear issues and events sugar coated. Universities today don’t want speakers or students to speak on controversial issues. It is unfortunate because Jesus spoke the truth in love as our example , although He was not pleased with His disciples right then!
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