The Roberts’ transparency sends you reeling with emotion but pulls you back in with earthy hope. This documentary by Peter Craig is marvelous, if I can use that word to describe such a difficult yet beautiful story.
Think Tree of Life meets the Resurrection, wrapped in doubt, opening up into faith.
Join us for a screening at Alamo Draft House on April 19, 2014. Hurry, tickets are selling out!
How good was Good Friday to the disciples of Jesus, our forefathers in the faith? How good is Good Friday to us?
The Garden of Gethsemane
Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I go over there and pray.â€Â And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me.â€Â And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.â€And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter, “So, could you not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.â€
Are you Asleep?
Is your faith asleep? Do you rest unconsciously, not consciously, in the death of Christ? Many of us sleep to own our shame, possessing a faith of sleepy indifference to Jesus’ suffering. We desperately need a soul-awakening to the cost, merit, and person of Jesus Christ. We do not pray. We do not watch. We do not plead for deliverance from temptation.
While Jesus was weeping in the garden, we were sleeping under the tree. In one of his moments of greatest discomfort, we rested in unconscious comfort. What shame. What mercy!
What Shame, What Mercy!
As you contemplate our Savior’s excruciating sacrifice today, make much of his sacrifice by bringing your sins to him in confession. I began the day by confessing my unconscious reliance on the cross, my relative indifference to his suffering for my salvation and joy. What shame. Ah, but Jesus does not leave us in our shame. Extend your arms and soberly, gladly receive the benefits of his death—total forgiveness and total love. What mercy!
My friend John Chandler is sending out tweets during Passion week to remind us of what Jesus was doing this week leading up to the cross and the resurrection. Follow him @passionweek for reminders throughout the week to focus on Jesus this Easter season. He explains:
Throughout the week, the @passionweek twitter account will post a brief glimpse of what Jesus experienced at the time he would of experienced it. The timing is mostly estimated. Regardless, I hope it can give you reason to pause throughout the week to reflect and anticipate the crucifixion on Friday, the silence that follows, and the resurrection on Sunday
Go here for a list of Scriptures that describe what happened on Wednesday of Passion Week.
