Gospel Reflections #817: What are we failing to understand

Matthew 26:38 "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me."

In the Garden of Gethsemane, Christ suffered in place of humanity.

Moreover, the humanity of God's only Son wavered under the terror of guilt, until finally, from His pale, trembling lips, the anguished cry escaped: "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me."

At this moment of ultimate trial, Jesus told His disciples, "Do not leave Me, but stay awake with Me."

Jesus has always been near us humans, in every age.

He taught us through His own example how profoundly peaceful, anxiety-free, and reassuring His presence truly is.

Yet we failed to understand this, seeing only our own desires and wishes.

Even in His ultimate trial, Jesus desired to be with us.

Yet I feel this was not for Jesus' own comfort, but to show us that His presence is grace, blessing, and miracle.

We often fail to respond to Jesus' call, but just as He lifted Peter up, we long to experience even a little of "being with Him" and to know the peace that comes from Jesus, who works to lift us up from any situation, at any time.

Heaven is where we live with God, but God has prepared everything so that we can experience being with Him even here on earth.

AUTHOR'S BIO: This Gospel Reflections page is written by Masae San, who resides in Hiroshima, Japan. Masae is a dedicated student of the Bible with a deep passion for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. She shares her daily reflections on Gospel perspectives to reach out to others and spread the message of God's true love through a Christ-centered approach. We are sharing her insights here so that you, too, can experience the joy that comes from knowing and understanding the true Gospel and the love of God through Jesus Christ.