12/26/2022
As disciples, what is our role in the Garden of Gethsemane? Are we one of the eight who are told to wait outside? Are we one of the three who go further into the garden with Jesus to protect and watch over Him? Or, are we one of the many who are left in the city with no apparent role to play? Whatever our role is, it is important. As Christian soldiers the three with Jesus are front line troops who will be the first into battle, the eight are held in reserve and are there if needed to reinforce the three, and those in the city are the reason why the others go into battle in the first place. Which of these are we? What is our role?
“Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder. And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy.”
Matthew 26:36-37 KJV
If we are one of the three we are actively engaged in what is happening and that is challenging, but all very satisfying. We not only know what is transpiring, but we are active in making it happen. When Judas Iscariot brought the soldiers to arrest Jesus the three disciples immediately confronted them.
“Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote the high priest's servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant's name was Malchus.”
John 18:10 KJV
But what of the eight who were waiting outside the garden? Their role was less that night, but one of them did have an active role to play as he went into the palace with Jesus. Some of us are just like soldiers held in reserve and probably feel left out, but some of us will be called up when needed.
“And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple: that disciple was known unto the high priest, and went in with Jesus into the palace of the high priest.”
John 18:15 KJV
But what of the believers and other disciples that remained in the city? No mention is made of them but they are critically important. You see, armies don’t go to war for themselves, but for the good of the average citizen so that they can live out their lives, and maintain the way and culture of the society. As Christians there are many of us who go to church, sit in the pews, pay our tithes, increase in faith, and provide support for the troops on the wall, with little or no apparent action beyond that, but aren’t these the ones that God loved and desired to redeem when Jesus said to us…
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
John 3:16 KJV
I read a passage from a devotional that referred to the meek as the flowers in the garden who pleased God. They might not receive any notoriety, or become famous generals, but they are the reason for the Messiah’s coming, and will be the harvest when Jesus returns. If we are one of these flowers that waves to and fro in the breeze looking beautiful and spreading our pleasing fragrance, then that is enough because God is pleased by this, and that should satisfy us.
“And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: and lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
Matthew 3:16-17 KJV
So whatever our role, none us is more or less important in the kingdom of God. Whether one of the three, the eight, or the many faithful, we are all pleasing in God’s eyes.
“And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight. And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment. And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.”
1 John 3:22-24 KJV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for your Son Jesus Christ, and the example of the roles we are all to play, that you provided us through Him in the Garden of Gethsemane. Thank you for those who lead, and those who follow on to do the hard things of faith in the world, but thank you most for the bountiful harvest of the wheat and flowers that stand and wave back and forth in the breeze of your breath. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who made the first to be last, and the last to be first. Great are you who told us that the meek would inherit the earth, and that your kingdom is made up of little children. Merciful are you who sent Jesus to harvest your crop and send Christian Soldiers into the world to deliver the good news of His gospel. Praised be your name for every breath you breathe that moves us, and spreads the scent that pleases you. We worship your name Father, praise you in every storm that waters us, and in every strong wind that strengthens our roots. Hallowed be your name as we prostrate ourselves before you. Cover us in the blood of Jesus, and feed us the manna of your Word. Humble us, and hear us call out to you Abba… Father… Lord! Call us your children, say that our meekness pleases you, and seat us forevermore at your table.
“At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, and said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me. But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.”
Matthew 18:1-6 KJV
Rich Forbes