Saturday, August 15, 2009

MkITN XIV, Verses 27 - 42

27. "Initially, you're all going to respond very badly to what's about to happen to Me...in fact, each one of you is going to fall apart because of it," Jesus told them, bluntly. "I say this because there's a Scripture that states, 'I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.'

28. But after I have risen from the dead, I will go ahead of you into Galilee, and there we will open a new chapter in the story."

29. Peter blurted out, "I don't know about the rest of these guys, but I can assure you that if every one of them panics and deserts You, You can still count on me. I'm not like the rest of them...I'll never leave You...not even for even a minute!"

30. "Oh, buddy...I know that you think you mean that", Jesus answered, "but the truth is that today...actually tonight...before the first rooster crows twice, you're going to completely disown me three times."



31. But Peter emphatically insisted, "I don't think You understand how committed I am to you...even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you...it's just not possible." And at these words, all the others joined in and said the same.

32. Then there was no more discussion about it...they didn't know what else to say. In silence they followed Jesus to a place called Gethsemane, and there He said to them, "Just sit here and meditate while I pray."
33. Then He took Peter, James and John along with Him, and as they walked deeper into the garden, a sense of overwhelming and unspeakable dread began to settle in on Him.

34 "My soul is entering into a stark realization of death," He said to them. "I'm connecting with the death of all who are condemned, and there's no way to describe to you the pain and darkness of it all...please, stay here and keep watch...I need your support through this."

35. Then, going on a little farther, He fell like a dead man to the ground...and as the conflicting voices of both the Son of God and the Son of Man began to contend for His destiny, He prayed that He might just circumvent the hour, altogether.

36. "Abba...Father," He cried out, "everything is possible for You. Just take this cup away from Me! I can't...I won't drink it!" Then, in virtually the same breath, the visionary love of the Son of God overrode the natural survival instincts of the Son of Man, and Jesus said, "Never mind...I won't submit to the limitations of the human will...I accept the infinite possibilities of the divine will...of Your will...and of all that goes with it."

37. Then as the conflict between the human and the divine began to gradually taper off, He returned to His disciples and found them sleeping. "Simon," He said to Peter, "are you really asleep? Now, of all times? Couldn't you just keep watch and support Me for one hour?

38. You should be praying with vision and insight so that you do not succumb to the limitations of your humanity. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak."

39. Again He went away and prayed the same thing, as the tension created by the opposition of two potential realities temporarily resurfaced.

40. And again when He came back, He found them sleeping, because they were exhausted. They woke up again, but didn't know what to say to Him.

41. Returning the third time, He said to them, "Still?! You're still sleeping? Oh well...that's enough...it doesn't matter now, anyway. The hour has come. Take a good look...the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of rebels.

42. Come on! Let's go! Here comes My betrayer...it all starts now!"

10 comments:

Unknown said...

V.29 MkITN goes straight to the heart of the matter..."I'm not like the rest of them!" (And so soon after all said, "is it me, Lord?")

I'm better than them.
I'm the only one...
nothing could be more opposite from God's intention for unity.
Wow...it seems so clear now that that thinking HAD to be broken.

V.32 I've often glossed over Jesus' direction to "sit here"...of course he would not have said "do nothing" while he went to pray!

"Meditate"...of course! It just might get me to thinking about the man in the mirror, that right now is seen so dimly, but then face to face and after THAT...just wait...(we're not to that place in the story yet) but...Oh, the places you'll go!!

Dear Lord, I love this paraphrase!

Unknown said...

v.37 "as the conflict between the human and the divine began to gradually taper off" ...but "temporarily resurfaced"

Cool. Insightful help for hanging there through our own Gethsemane's...

SCRIBE said...

How remarkable is the paraphrase, which sounds more like what was ACTUALLY said than the way it is written in the text of the King James Version, the New King James, and the New International Version.

This paints a vivid and clear picture where we are able to more realistically grasp hold of the true condition of the Christ between humanity and Divinity.

This could be likened to those times of darkness and despair that we ourselves go through. Even as we put forth our best efforts to convey to others the realities that we face, what we are going through, and even what is to come, they may very well not grasp hold of it, or be so consumed and preoccupied with their own woes, troubles, etc. that they are unable to truly comprehend, and at times may not care deeply enough on a level to which we desire to be understood.

Yet, in it all, we accept that which is, namely that which is inevitable, knowing that although it may in no way feel good (please let this cup pass from me) yet in through it all, shall work out for the greater good. (Nevertheless, not "my will", but YOUR DIVINE WILL be done, Oh Lord! ) How truly amazing and timely this all is as we make and walk through necessary transitions that shall deliver us from the known, yet sometimes not perceived Glory into the unknown and what will be determined in time as THE GREATER GLORY. For we learn in looking back that had we not walked through or made it through "this thing, that thing, or the other thing", then we would not have been strengthened enough to live and abide and hold up in the Greater Dimensions of Faith, Strength, and Glory.

It is uncanny, peculiar, and a bit perplexing to know that even as we ask other to pray with and for us, the understanding and weight of responsibility that we must undergo is our own cross to bear; wherefore others may not be equipped nor prepared for the personal journey / destination that is assigned strictly to us. (For unto us a child was born and unto Us the Son of God was Given and gave of himself willingly.) How incredible and selfless is that... to know and comprehend that though we suffer, our sufferings are not solely of or in our own making, yet ultimately for the greater good of those to come and unto those which we have been given / assigned to serve. Much to ponder and even more to receive....

Son of Zadok said...

Thank you SCRIBE,

That's a very good word.

karl cobos said...

WWID (what would I do?), or WWYD (what would YOU do?)

Where there was a will (the Father's will), there was a way, Jesus.

Jesus, OVERCOMER, pushing through to victory, finishing the race set before Him, 1st place on the podium (garland of thorns), what anthem is sung, what audience is given, a victory lap taken, history written, what words spoken.

word ver: syingsle

el ojo y la luz said...

There are so many things I have been meaning to say and now it is time. For some reason it has all just come together. My path is illuminated. And the closer and more clear my relationship with God becomes, the more mysterious He is. Holy Spirit is moving within me. I am stirring inside. I am "large with anticipation." A new "me" is emerging and I am transformed. I have fresh, now eyes and ears.

This paraphrase is amazing to me. It seems like I've never heard any of it before. I am hanging on every word and literally anxious to know what will happen next. Without now vision, I couldn't see it.

Anonymous said...

Sarah Mendez said...

Bishop, thank you! I particularly like v22-powerful...I've been perusing through your blog and have thoroughly enjoyed what I've read- very inspirational! I hope to visit CITN soon!

Anonymous said...

Bish,

Was that fantastic or what? Hope you stayed for both encores. What a class act. Hope the guys had a good time as well.

Chuck

Bishop Jim Swilley said...

The concert? Yeah, I wrote on Twitter and Facebook that if I never attend another concert in my lifetime, I'm good...I've already seen the best one ever...I don't know if you streamed or were ITB this morning, but I talked about it...and, yes, we stayed to the end...very cool way to close it out...and the kids loved it as much or more...unforgettable experience...

Izumi/JOY said...

What I love about v.28, is the line, ..."and there we will open a new chapter in the story." It offers the disciples hope of continuity with Him, and releases them from potential condemnation.

V.29, 31 - Having been in close proximity to Jesus, had they synchronized their speech with His promises? (said His lines, when only He could fulfill them?)

Verses 32 & 33 remind me of another day when Jesus took Peter, James, and John with Him. Only, then, it was to a mountain.

Maybe Jesus instructed them to meditate, because His earth suit had assimilated with their souls, while His Spirit required obedience to Abba's Voice.

During their excursion, two words: "Hear Him." Maybe they thought God meant only then.

V.37's amazing, too. Remember their fishing trip; a day in a boat. They were terrified of perishing. Who would have dared to venture: "Peace! Be still!" to Life in His garden press? (was that part of the Lord's agony? Would they practice what He preached?)

Oasis does a song called, "Wonderwall".

(Today, is gonna be the day, they're gonna throw it back to you...)

What would have happened, if Peter resisted slumber, and said, "That day... when I almost drowned... If You hadn't reached me when You did..."

(By now, you shoulda somehow realized what you gotta do.)

"And that mountain hike - whew - brutal! But, I think I get it. Preparation for now."

(And all the roads we have to walk are winding.)

"Check this... when You started talking, and we were all in cloud form together... oh God! Oh, Man! So real. Words don't come close, but... I adore You... You know that... right?"

(There are many things I want to say to you, but I don't know how. And all the lights that lead us there are blinding. Back beat, the word is on the street that the fire in your heart is out.)

"Remember what our Father said? Get up. Don't be afraid."

v.42 - ..."it all starts now."

(Because maybe, you're gonna be the one that saves me. And, after all, you're my wonderwall.)