All of life seems to be crashing in. There’s a “cloud” that looms over us. A burden we feel. The weight of darkness. Can you feel your weary body taking steps toward the fateful cross? The world will never be the same.
Today, we continue our journey with Jesus into trying circumstances. Today, maybe you’re tired. Maybe you face very real and particular trying circumstances, denial and unkindness of even friends, or just plain lonesomeness or anxiety. The darkness is all too real these days during this global pandemic. For some, this is heaped upon already trying days, health issues, social oppression, difficult family or job situations.
The good news is Jesus knows your pain - the burden.
Take a deep breath. Notice your breath. Your body grounded to the surface upon which you sit. Get comfortable. Take your time.
Let’s read Mark 14.32-72.
Sit in silence for a moment. What catches your attention? How does Jesus’ story parallel yours? Ours?
Take a moment to name it, write it down, share it with a trusted companion.
Locating ourselves in the larger context of Mark, we are reminded that Jesus has had many good days - spending time in prayer and claiming his identity as beloved, calling disciples, preaching and teaching, walking on water (come on...how cool is that?!), feeding masses of people, healing the sick, empowering and restoring those on the margins of society to belong in community.
And...
Religious leaders have questioned his authority and his days seem to be filled with battles with those trying to preserve power and institutions - the titans. The cloud that looms becomes more and more thick these days. The shadow side of life and humanity is exposed as Jesus’ own friends deny and betray him. The chief priests and scribes (of his own faith community!) plot his death. Only small glimmers of light and hope show up, like in being anointed by a friend.
Jesus is disowned - a sense of not belonging. A death all its own.
Jesus knows this kind of death and Peter’s denial is foretold. Augustine put it this way, “God knows in us even what we ourselves do not know in ourselves. For Peter did not know his weakness when he heard from the Lord that he would deny him three times.” The shadow becomes evident. The burden is real.
Jesus takes on “friendly fire” as Judas - a disciple - leads the religious authorities to arrest him. Jesus faces oppression, condemnation, and denial within the religious system of his day.
Jesus knows your pain - the burden.
Take a look at Mark 14.32-42 again as you place yourself with Jesus in the garden, in Gethsemane.
Gethsemane means “oil press” - into an olive grove Jesus, Peter, James and John go. It’s not likely that Jesus took them with him because he was lonely, but to prepare them as he prepares himself for the events that were about to transpire. While he is deeply grieved, even to death, notice that Jesus doesn’t sit with them, but tells them to sit and pray - to stay awake - while he goes off to do the same.
Jesus knows, when we have nothing left - no answers, no certainty - we pray. Praying three times is customary for a Jew in distress (see 2 Cor. 12.8 and Daniel 6.10,13).
Nevertheless… Jesus prays, “yet, not what I want, but what you want”, consciously and deliberately walking the path before him. Jesus continues to claim his identity as the Messiah, pointing to God at work among them in the midst of what seems to be ever-growing darkness.
What do we, as a community, have to learn from Jesus as he walks through such a dark time? To be prepared for even greater darkness?
Take a moment to name it, write it down, share it with a trusted companion.
The light continues to fade as time draws closer to the cross. Facing the council, an emergency and pre-judicial meeting takes place among the Sanhedrin - those who are concerned about the temple and hence felt threatened by Jesus’ remarks about the temple (Mark ch.13). The group present tries to align stories of the witnesses in order for a guilty verdict to be pronounced. Justice was not the aim of this assembly - the collective shadow side is exposed.
These are trying circumstances. We know trying circumstances.
Jesus knows your pain - the burden.
The long day’s journey into night stares us in the face these days. Whenever the darkness pulls us toward despair, may we hear Jesus say,
Keep awake and pray that you may not come into the time of trial; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak (Mark 12.38).
May the Spirit give us all strength, may Jesus be our constant companion, and may God’s mercy bind us together each new day. Amen.
Melissa Millis