Suffering That Brings Hope

Monday, March 31, 2025

Then they came to a place named Gethsemane, and he told his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” He took Peter, James, and John with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. He said to them, “I am deeply grieved to the point of death. Remain here and stay awake.” He went a little farther, fell to the ground, and prayed that if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. And he said, “Abba, Father! All things are possible for you. Take this cup away from me. Nevertheless, not what I will, but what you will.” Mark 14:32-36

What does the tension of Thursday night tell us about Jesus and how does his suffering give us hope?   

Suffering That Brings Hope

Jesus and the disciples had shared a Passover meal – the last supper – and now they were all (except Judas) in the garden at Gethsemane. The garden was really more of an olive grove, a place whose name literally means “oil press.” Jesus took Peter, James, and John further into the garden and told them how he was feeling. These disciples were the three that were closest with Jesus and that night Jesus told them he was deeply distressed and troubled, grieved to the point of death. He asked them to stay where they were and stay awake. Jesus went deeper into the garden and fell down before his Father calling him Abba Father! This is a familiar and intimate name, such as a child might use when they call their father “daddy.” Jesus knew what was going to happen. He knew his Father’s will but still suffered in agony. He asked his father – declaring that he knew that with his father all things were possible – could he take this cup away from him. 

The cup Jesus is talking about was the judgement of God on the sins of all mankind that he would bear on the cross. The weight of eternity. This was more painful and heavy than any physical torture that was coming but he did it so you and I would not have to. Jesus surrenders his will for his father’s even when it included suffering unto death. God did not take the cup from him, but he strengthened him to be able to take the cup. He was willing to do this for you and for me because it was the only way to atone for our sins. It was the only way our sin debt could be paid giving us the gift of eternal life when we accept Jesus as our Savior. 

Jesus wasn’t asking for there to be no salvation for mankind. He was asking if there is any other possible way for this to happen other than the agony which was waiting for him at the cross. But there was no other way, so Jesus went to the cross. In the tension he decided that he would do God’s will and not his own. In the tension he was obedient and surrendered to what his father willed. In the tension of the reality, he made the choice to take the cup. 

Because of his choice that night we can have forgiveness. Because Jesus suffered and died on the cross, we can have hope. He paid for our sins that night and made eternal life with him in heaven possible. He had the power to turn around and walk out of the garden and hide away, never facing the suffering of the cross. But he chose to take the cup for us. He defeated death and the grave when he rose from the grave three days later. We can have hope because we have the promise of eternal life, and we have the power of the resurrection and the Holy Spirit in our lives. We have victory over every impossible circumstance because that victory is in him.  We have hope for eternity and hope for today. 

Eight Days That Changed The World “The Garden”

 

Eight Days That Changed The World 
“The Garden”
Mark 14:32-42 (CSB)

 

- Key Truth: - “Over the course of eight days, God’s redemptive plan culminated in man’s eternalhope.”

Main Question: What does the tension of Thursday night tell us about Jesus and how does his suffering give us hope?   

1.    The tension of obedience.  (Mark 14:32-35)

2.    The tension of surrender.  (Mark 14:36)

3.    The tension of reality.  (Mark 14:37-42)

After the Message: 
Read Week 5 in Eight Days That Changed the World: An Easter Devotional on pages 107-132.

Motives Matter

Friday, March 28, 2025

Motives Matter – Galatians 6:11-16 Submitted by Kay Crumley

I enjoy watching crime shows and reading Cozy Mysteries. One of the topics often addressed is not only crime but also motive. The suspect may have the opportunity to commit the crime, but do they have motive. Motive isn’t always obvious. The detective may spend some time determining the motive, the why of the crime. In the final chapter of Galatians, Paul is concluding evidence of the crime being committed in the churches of Galatia by sharing the motive behind the crime. The crime was teaching false doctrine and causing the new believers to question what is necessary to truly be a Christian. Or, as Pastor Jim described them, Little Christs. Being so much like Him that people mocked them for the likeness portrayed by their words and actions.  

Verse 11 almost seemed ‘extra’ or out of place to me when I first read this passage. Why was Paul making a point to emphasis that he was writing this himself in very large letters? As in all scripture there is purpose, since scripture is God breathed and useful for teaching…, 2 Timothy 3:16. The commentators suggest that most of the time Paul used a scribe to write for him as he dictated the letters. However, occasionally he wrote in his own hand, and in the case, with large letters to emphasis his point. I first thought of the similarity in our culture of sending a text in all capital letters. He is getting their attention, screaming at them to pay attention. That’s my opinion.  

11 Look at what large letters I use as I write to you in my own handwriting. 12 Those who want to make a good impression in the flesh are the ones who would compel you to be circumcised—but only to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ. 13 For even the circumcised don’t keep the law themselves, and yet they want you to be circumcised in order to boast about your flesh. 14 But as for me, I will never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. The world has been crucified to me through the cross, and I to the world. 15 For both circumcision and uncircumcision mean nothing; what matters instead is a new creation. 16 May peace come to all those who follow this standard, and mercy even to the Israel of God. 

Those who want to impress other men/people are teaching their beliefs and compelling or forcing these believers to follow false teaching. Then we see the motive behind the crime. They want to avoid persecution, being criticized or being mocked by other Jewish brothers for agreeing that becoming a believer is by faith alone, not by following the Jewish laws and rituals. They are looking out for their own comfort rather than adhering to the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ. If they successfully lead these believers to following Jewish doctrine they will be admired and congratulated by those who would otherwise persecute them.  

Paul states his motive for fighting against this false teaching. Paul’s only message is Jesus Christ. He stated in 1 Corinthians 2:2 I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. There is no other message but that we are saved by grace through Jesus Christ. That is the one and only gospel preached by Paul because it is the only truth. We who have accepted this truth and followed Jesus are new creatures in Him, we are a new race, a holy nation, and a royal priesthood. We are all that only by what Jesus did on the cross for us to become children of God, adopted into His family through faith by His grace for us. Our relationship with Him is what’s important. Those who live by that standard will know, experience His peace and mercy. We are to live in a way that brings attention to Him by being like Him is our thoughts, actions, and deeds.  

Our motive matters just as Paul’s did. Are we focusing our mind’s attention and heart’s affection on Him? Do we apply the precepts of the Word to our daily lives? Our motive is to bring Him glory and honor in all we say and do. Romans 8:1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus. 

   

Freedom in Christ

Thursday, March 27, 2025

Freedom in Christ – Galatians 5:7-14 Submitted by Kay Crumley

The United States is ‘the home of the brave and land of the free’ according to the lyrics of our National Anthem. We were freed from the laws and control of the British government because we, our forefathers, were brave enough to fight for that freedom. Paul, in his letter to the Galatians, reminded them in verse 1 of Chapter 5 that ‘For freedom, Christ set us free. Stand firm, then, and don’t submit again to a yoke of slavery.’ In the first four chapters of Galatians we see that the group of legalistic Jewish Christians were trying to persuade the Gentile Christians they had to follow the Jewish laws to be true Christians. Paul is admonishing them that the true gospel is based of faith in Jesus Christ, not in the law. We have a new covenant in Christ. The law had a purpose, but it was not to provide salvation, rather, to demonstrate our need for salvation. We cannot do enough or be good enough or avoid sin, thus we must have someone who can pay the ransom for our sin. Jesus made that sacrifice enabling Him to have the power to redeem us from the debt we owe for our transgressions. We are free from the law not because we earned our freedom but because Christ set us free, he won the battle.  

Here he is encouraging and correcting them in following the path of truth. They were following the true gospel. But someone came in and changed their path to a false gospel. The One who called them was not Paul but God. Paul is confident the confusion did not come from Him.  

7 You were running well. Who prevented you from obeying the truth? 8 This persuasion does not come from the one who calls you. 9 A little leaven leavens the whole batch of dough. 10 I myself am persuaded in the Lord you will not accept any other view. But whoever it is that is confusing you will pay the penalty. 11 Now brothers and sisters, if I still preach circumcision, why am I still persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been abolished. 12 I wish those who are disturbing you might also let themselves be mutilated! 

While the number of Judaizers were fewer than the Gentile Christians, it doesn’t take much or many to persuade them to turn away from the truth to the false teaching that sounded so plausible. Paul wished for those who were leading them astray to be punished or judged. He knew he only taught the cross and Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection as truth. Paul would not have been beaten, stoned, and run out of town because of the truth he taught. Had he simply agreed with this false doctrine he would not have been persecuted. He would do nothing to take away from the benefits we received because of the offense Jesus suffered on the Cross for us. Paul wished for those who held circumcision in such high regard that they would complete the operation and emasculate themselves.  That sounds harsh but remember, these false teachers were confusing the truth and leading these believers into confusion and misunderstanding.  

Now Paul completes this passage by reminding them of what is necessary. As believers, we are free from following the law of the Old Testament. However, we are to not allow that to open a path to living a sinful life.  

13 For you were called to be free, brothers and sisters; only don’t use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but serve one another through love. 14 For the whole law is fulfilled in one statement: Love your neighbor as yourself.  15 But if you bite and devour one another, watch out, or you will be consumed by one another. 

Instead, we have one law or rule to follow, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” What would that result in if we truly followed that way of life. We would treat others the way we want to be treated with respect, consideration, kindness, loyalty, and love. We would not wrong anyone by our words or deeds if we genuinely loved others as we love ourselves. The flip side of that is that if we treat others wrongly, we will be consumed by the hateful way we treat one another.  

John put it this way in 1 John 4:7 Dear friends, let us love one another, because love is from God, and everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.  We will be known by our love for one another. Christian freedom does not open the door to selfish or prideful behaviors, it enables us to ignore laws that separate us and frees us to love others, especially those who are in the family of God.