And
there appeared an Angel unto Him from Heaven, strengthening Him - Luke 22:43
The Place of Surrender
We all at some point
have felt the weight and loneliness of the stress of this life, the physical,
mental, and spiritual attacks that can take us to our own personal Gethsemane.
"This is a place of surrender". A place where you have stopped trying
to work it out yourself and come to God with your hands raised, as a sign of
surrender, seeking Him in deep lamentation for your situation, feeling the
heaviness of what's ahead... The Bible says;"vs.40, and when He was at the
place" (Gethsemane). The question resonates with me today.. Are we at the
place of surrender? Are we praying about our situation? Have you stopped trying
to figure it out? Is the load to heavy? Surrender it! I say...
The Price of Surrender
The Lord's prayer
life was exceptional and ours should be as well... "If it is possible let
this cup pass." Nevertheless not my will, but Thine be done. This is the price of surrender. The surrender
of the stubborn will! There is no such thing as pretending like you are going
to surrender... Have you ever seen a criminal that is running from the law stop
his car, get out, and pretend he was going to surrender? A person that turns
himself in is tired of running. Realizing that there has to be a surrendering
of his will in order to make restitution (make it right). The price of surrender
is the cross. We all have a cross to bear.
Ask any criminal
after they surrender why they did so? Most will say they were tired of
running.. Even though there are still consequences there is a relief that comes
with surrender. I believe that with Christ the agony was so severe (to the
point of sweating drops of blood) that if the Angel had not brought extra
strength He would have died as Satan no doubt was attempting to do. Read in
verse 43, it shows us that Angels at times are dispatched by the Father from
Heaven in order to help. This
supernatural strength made up for any lack of support from His three closest
disciples (Peter, James, and John). The
people that are closest to us that know most about us even at times cannot
offer what we need. .. It's as if they have fallen asleep to your situation.
How do you explain a man/woman who is at the end of their rope and ready to
jump ship? One day seemingly no hope in sight and the next day mustering up
what could only be called a Heavenly strength. This word that we read about in
Luke 22:43 "strengthened" (Greek word - enischuo; meaning to impart strength,
to empower someone, to fill a person with heartiness, or to give someone a
received vitality- strength). A person may have been feeling exhausted and
depleted but he suddenly gets a blast of energy so robust that he is instantly
recharged! Now he is ready to get up, get with it, and get going again!
Jesus
disciples and friends couldn't be depended on in His hour of need, God provided
an Angel that imparted strength, empowered, and charged Jesus, renewing His
vitality with the strength needed to victoriously face the most difficult hour
in His life! After being supercharged, Jesus was ready to face the Cross. He
awakened His disciples and said," Rise up, let us go, lo, he that betrays
Me is at hand"(Mark 14:42). In other words; I'm ready to face my biggest
fear...I surrender..
This is my prayer.
Blessings,
Rev.
Tim
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