EMOTIONAL BETRAYALS

EMOTIONAL BETRAYALS

READ:
Matthew 26:36-46

[Jesus] found them sleeping, and
said..., "Could you not watch with
Me one hour?" -Matthew 26:40

Some years back, another man and I were reading together Matthew 26 about Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane.  "I know this much, " he told me as we read along, "if I'd been with Jesus in Gethsemane, I'd have had His back.  No way would I have fallen asleep!"  Indignant, he continued, "How could anyone fall asleep after hearing Jesus tell them how troubled He was?  He was practically begging!" (v.38).

Knowing that our families struggled with our long work hours, I wondered out loud to my friend:  "How many times have our children looked for us in the crowd at their school activities, hoping to see us?  Do Our kids face troubles alone because we are away or busy?  Our families and friends have an intense need for personal attention from us.  Even Jesus asked His disciples to watch and pray with Him"  (see vv.40-45).

It is not a simple thing to balance life's demands against the needs of those we love and serve, but failing to do so is emotional betrayal.  As we think about the disciples disappointing Jesus in the Garden, we might want to consider the ways we can today show our care for our loved ones and their interests.  Help us, Lord, to love others well. -Randy Kilgore

Open my eyes, Lord, to people around me,
Help me to see them as You do above;
Give me the wisdom and strength to take action,
So others may see the depth of Your love. -K. DeHaan
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One measure of our love for Christ
is our sensitivity to the needs of others.

INSIGHT
Jesus' desire was always to do the will of the Father (see John 6:38) even though that included pain and suffering.  This was the ultimate display of humility.  Becoming incarnate, Jesus took a role that brought incredible physical and emotional suffering, so that we could be reconciled to God.  Paul describes this humility in Philippians 2:6-11. 

Have a blessed day.
God Our Creator's Love Always
Unity & Peace