Heart-wrenching.
As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good.
Genesis 50:20ab
That may be the closest we come to describing the happenings in the Garden.
Jesus is about to be betrayed, denied, and much more leading to death. He knows it’s coming. He knows the immense pain and suffering about to take place – and at the hands of His friends and religious leaders who were supposed to welcome the Messiah and prepare the people for Him.
But the main antagonist in this story is the one who is not named – “Satan,” Jesus’ adversary.
He tempted Jesus at the beginning of His ministry and would return at “an opportune time.” He entered Judas and was looking for the right time to betray Him. He is looking forward to “sifting” Peter, leading him to deny Jesus. His chaos in this moment cause the disciples, not to stand firm in the temptation, but flea in fear.
This is his hour. His moment. And Jesus knows it!
He tries to tell the disciples to pray in this moment and He Himself makes sure to; with a pit in His being that is palpable.
The real battle of good and evil. Spiritual forces, flesh and blood. And this is evil’s time.
Heart-wrenching.
But where Satan and evil will have the moment, Jesus will have the rest of eternity!
Satan still works his wares. Our sinful nature still gives in to temptation and evil. These things still affect us for the moments we’re this side of eternity. But those moments will end; forever!
Jesus made sure of it; in those moments. In the Garden with blood and tears. On the cross in agony and death.
But that moment ended, and the rest – life – is yet to come!
Just you wait!
Scriptures
- Luke 22:39-62
