But Jesus too felt distress  Lenten question #14

John 12:7, 23-28, 32 [Mary, sister of Lazarus, anointed Jesus with expensive perfume and was criticized for doing so.] Jesus replied, “Leave her alone. She did this in preparation for my burial. … Now the time has come for the Son of Man to enter into his glory. … My soul is deeply troubled. Should I pray, ‘Father, save me from this hour?’ But this is the very reason I came! Father, bring glory to your name. … And when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself.”

Hebrews 4:7-8 While Jesus was here on earth, he offered prayers and pleadings, with a loud cy and tears, to the one who could rescue him from death. And God heard his prayers because of his deep reverence for God. Even though Jesus was God’s Son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered.

Yesterday was “Whiplash Sunday.”

To begin, we waved palms like the crowd welcoming Jesus to Jerusalem, singing hosannas in triumphal procession.

A few minutes later, as performers narrated the events of Holy Week (using Luke’s account this time), we yelled, “Crucify him! Crucify him!”

Whiplash.

Imagine what it was like for Jesus, knowing even as the crowd shouted their Hosannas, that soon exuberant acclamation would turn to hostile condemnation and most bitter suffering and death.

And then, in the great Reversal, the glorious resurrection.

Whiplash.

As we walk through this week, we will probably feel the whole range of emotions. Take extra time to go deeper with Jesus in this eventful week. Ask him to help you understand WHY he chose to walk this road.

Via Dolorosa, Sandi Patty