I've always been deeply saddened and strangely mesmerized by the story of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. The scene evokes such pathos seeing Jesus offering agonizing prayers, sweating drops of blood, while his disciples lie sleepily by. All of this happens before the horrific climax of the story. But this time, while listening to the Scripture (and following along with a Bible, which seems to help), something new jumped out. Luke 22:45 says that "When He rose from prayer, He came to the disciples and found them
sleeping from sorrow." The NIV says "exhausted from sorrow."
Usually when we think of these disciples, we just think they were lazy or disconnected from what was really going on, but this verse seems to indicate that not only did they understand, they were so steeped in their sorrow that it had exhausted them to the point of sleep.
Sorrow has a way of making us slow and tired. It
is exhausting. While you've been down in the desert this Lent, have you noticed yourself feeling more tired?
Jesus' antidote for exhaustion is
prayer. Prayer is another very important Lenten discipline (and as I mentioned, one that Luke is fond of mentioning). For Jesus tells them, "Pray that you may not enter temptation." Truly, Jesus came to this very garden, as what his custom, no doubt to pray. He was heeding his own advice, listening to the interior of his soul that was also exhausted with sorrow.
I know many people say that praying
makes them fall asleep (not that I think this is always a bad thing). Perhaps try some new forms of prayer: a mantra (a short, repetitive prayer such as "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me"), written prayer, body prayer (use your hands, arms, and face to express the meaning of the words), or breath prayer (as you inhale, say one word that you want to focus on such as "peace" or "Jesus" and as you exhale say something that you want to get rid). This Sunday during our Lenten study, we will look at a couple other prayers.
What have you noticed this week in your listening? Please share with us.
Julie