holy week resource - thursday
As a Jew I have celebrated many a Pesach, but this one has been unlike any I have ever experienced. I have never felt such confusion, terror, dismay, mixed with marvel! So many strange things to ponder…
It started when Yeshua directed us to go to a certain home to celebrate our Passover. It was quite unusual. We didn’t arrange anything ourselves. But when we got there, we found things just as Yeshua said. So, we got our seder needs purchased, cooked, and ready for our special meal.
During our time together we enjoyed each other’s company. We remembered during our seder the events where Hashem- the Lord- had provided for our people when they were in captivity in Egypt. We remembered how Adonai sent Moses to lead our people out to freedom after the awful plagues sent upon Egypt, and how the Red Sea parted for us to escape! During our seder we drink 4 cups reminding us of Hashem’s miraculous involvement in our escape. When we came to the 3rd cup of redemption something strange happened….
Mysteriously, Yeshua referred to Himself as the source of our redemption while sharing the matzah and the wine - as His body and blood. “Drink from it all of you; this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins” (Matt 26:27-28), and then how His body was going to be given for us. It was strange, unthinkable- but somehow very beautiful. Somehow it seemed that all these ancient symbols of our deliverance were finding their fulfillment in our Messiah Yeshua! We were told to remember these things always.
Then Yeshua said he wouldn’t enjoy another Passover again until it was fulfilled in the kingdom of God. Oy! I am truly troubled! He said he was going to be arrested and would suffer for us- as Isaiah the ancient prophet said of the suffering Servant. I never could understand that part of the Tanach. We knew things were getting a bit hot in Jerusalem over our Yeshua- and his claims to be the long awaited Moshiach- Messiah. But that He would die!? That didn’t sound like the kind of Messiah we were hoping for……
During our dinner conversation there was discussion about who of us was the greatest. This seemed like an inappropriate time for such a topic, but Jesus responded with something quite profound. He said that greatness is shown through serving, not dominating others. He even demonstrated it by washing our feet! Peter complained at first, but submitted to Yeshua. Like I said- it’s been strange….
As darkness fell, we took a walk to the olive garden of Gethsemane. It has always been a place of peace and reflection for me. Today though, the atmosphere felt different. Jesus seemed different. He seemed troubled. A weary, forlorn, intense look came upon Him. He asked me, my brother, and Peter, to come with him to a place to pray. He didn’t want to be alone. He said, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death.” Our hearts were sad with him. Our full stomachs mixed with the emotional pain we sensed made us become drowsy. Yeshua walked to a quiet spot. We faintly heard him pray “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as You will.” I barely caught that as my eyes were drooping in fatigue.
Faintly, I remember Yeshua returning to check on us- but we were so delirious with concern and exhaustion that we were barely coherent. The last clear strained words I heard were, “… May Your will be done.”
Suddenly, we heard Yeshua right next to us. He said “… Look! The hour has come, and the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!”
After that everything started happening so fast! There were torches, soldiers, priests and we were scared! And Judas- what was he doing with them? He kissed Yeshua- but something was strange about that. We didn’t know what this would lead to. Peter’s anger and fear moved him to try to protect Yeshua – and he sliced off a servant’s ear! Oy vey! I’m so ashamed to say that I ran after this. My fear took over and I just wanted to get out of there! In my mind, as I ran as fast as I could, Yeshua’s words kept coming to me. “Not as I will, but as You will, not as I will but as You will.” Over and over it repeated. Yeshua was willing to do whatever His Abba wanted. But will I? I’m afraid. What will happen now? It is dark. I need to find a place to stop where it’s safe and I can breathe. “Not as I will but as You will,” repeats again in my mind. Oh Adonai...I am afraid. Help me be like Yeshua now, and to want Your will most of all.
(story information from Luke 22:7-38)
Your Response:
When life is very hard, do you relate to this disciple’s fear, yet desire to do ‘’not as I will, but as You (God) will”? Let’s meditate on Jesus’ willingness to submit His will to the Father. Consider how you can follow in Jesus’ footsteps in the midst of your hardship.
by Donna FitzPatrick, McLean, VA
Body & Soul® Spiritual Impact Team
Body and Soul® Fitness is an international Christian fitness organization that trains and equips instructors to lead a variety of group fitness programs including choreographed aerobics-style Cardio Strength & Flexibility™, cardio dance style Dance Blast™, free-weights-focused Power Strength™, boot camp style FIT360™ and Longevity FIT360™, and GOLD™ - lower impact programming for participants that are pregnant, have weight challenges, injuries, or other medical conditions. These exercise classes meet in church gyms, community centers, gymnasiums, parking lots, schools, etc. across the United States, Europe, and Africa. In-person and virtual fitness classes are available.
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