Jesus Pressed Between the Past and the Future

March 23, 2016/CathyChung/

Topics to Dig Into

Who is He?

What is God like? Who is this man Jesus? How can we understand the Holy Spirit?

The Visible God

God is present and active in our lives, often working through people and ‘coincidences’. Thank and praise Him!

Making it Practical

Following Jesus in today’s world can be challenging. But living according to Jesus’ teaching is incredibly worthwhile. Call it life-changing.

He Knows You

God’s love is unconditional. He knows our hearts and continually invites us into relationship.

Ah-Ha!

Learning about the culture and language of Bible times can reveal new meaning in familiar scriptures. Let’s call them ah-ha moments.

He went on a little farther and bowed with his face to the ground, praying, “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be
taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.”…Then Jesus left them a second time and prayed, “My Father! If this cup cannot be taken away unless I drink it, your will be done.”

Matthew 26:38- (NLT)

I welcome my friend, Barbara Seeglitz, as my guest on the blog today. She wrote this piece in response to Adam Hamilton’s study 24 Hours That
Changed the World:

The Church of All Nations in Jerusalem provides a visual and experiential recreation of the Garden of Gethsemane. These images along with the scriptures from the Bible inspired me to reflect on what Jesus may have experienced that night in the garden.

Jesus is in the Garden of Gethsemane with the Temple to his left and the graves of the prophets, priests and kings to his right. He is in the middle agonizing over what is going to happen to him soon.

Above Jesus are the stars, the heavens, and God’s magnificent, vast creation – a view of God’s greatness both infinity and eternity.

Jesus looks to the right and sees the graves of the prophets and priests and is reminded that he is here to fulfill their prophecies. He remembers all God’s people and their suffering and
struggles of the past.

To his left is the towering Temple. A temple built to honor God. But the Temple is now riddled with pagan corruption – more about money, laws and rules than a sanctuary of worship. Jesus sees the towering symbol as the direction the people are heading – a future away from God.

Jesus is in the perfect setting to see what God wants him to see, in the present, in the middle between the past and the future agonizing not only for himself, but for all God’s people – for us.

When have you given up your own desires to do God’s will? (tweet this)

#SeedsOfScripture #Gethsemane #thywillbedone

Spend a few minutes to plant a quick Seed. Or stay longer and plant a whole garden.

Each post is a brief scriptural thought that will grow as you let it take root in your thoughts. If you have time, dig into one area of interest and plant a whole garden.

Receive Seeds of Scripture by email.

Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.

Psalm 119:105

Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong.

Ephesians 3:17 (NLT)

I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.

John 15:5 (NLT)

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.