A Maundy Thursday Meditation

Have you ever considered the grief that Jesus experienced in the garden, following the Last Supper?  His grief was so bad, that he sweated great drops of blood (Luke 22:44).  He prayed earnestly in the midst of his grief and sorrow.  Yet, in the garden that night he was not the only who’s sorrow was great.  But, he was the only one who was awake.  His friends could bring him no comfort in their mutual sorrow, because they could not stay awake.  Loneliness is its own special kind of hell.A few hours earlier, he had celebrates his last meal before his crucifixion.  He shared his last meal with folks who doubted him, who sought selfish gain, and would betray him.  In spite of that, it was like any meal with friends, he ate with people who he loved.  He ate with people who loved him, albeit less well than Jesus loved them.  But, he chose to enjoy his last meal with them, to share something special with them.Recently, I’ve found myself in great sorrow.  Grief has covered me like a blanket.  Speaking to my father one night, he made an interesting theory about Jesus’ grief in the garden.  I had always assumed that his grief came from him knowing that he was going to have to die on the cross.  Perhaps the reason his grief such that it was is found in the people he would die for weren’t going to accept him.  Maybe…he felt abandoned.  The most religious people, the ones who were supposed to know God most, didn’t accept what he did for them, rather they mocked him as he hung dieing to give them the chance to really know God.  He died for his friends who ran away from him in the garden.   Christ had come to show people