Few were intimately aware of the sorrows of Gethsemane. Most of the disciples were not advanced enough in grace to be allowed to see the mysteries of “the agony.” Occupied with the Passover feast at their own houses, they represent many people who follow the letter of the law but are mere babes regarding the spirit of the gospel. Of Jesus’s twelve disciples, only eleven were privileged to enter Gethsemane and see “this great sight.” And of the eleven, eight were left at a distance; they had a kind of fellowship, but not that intimate sort that admits people who are greatly loved. Only three highly favored ones could approach the veil of our Lord’s mysterious sorrow. But within that veil even these three could not intrude—they stayed at the distance of a stone’s throw. Jesus must tread the winepress alone. There will be nobody with him. Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, James and John, represent the few prominent, experienced saints who may be called “Fathers”—having done business on great waters, they can to some degree measure the huge Atlantic waves of their Redeemer’s passion. Some selected individuals are given, for the good of others and to strengthen them for a tremendous future conflict, the right to enter the inner circle and hear the prayers of the suffering High Priest. They have fellowship with Him in His sufferings, and are made “like him in his death” (Philippians 3:10). But even these people cannot penetrate the secret places of the Savior’s woe. “Your unknown sufferings” is the remarkable expression of the Greek liturgy: there was an inner chamber of our Master’s grief, shut out from all human knowledge and fellowship. There Jesus is left alone. Here Jesus is more than ever an “indescribable gift” (2 Corinthians 9:15)! Watts is right when he sings, And all the unknown joys he gives, Were bought with agonies unknown. “How Rich Are Thy Provisions, Lord,” Isaac Watts (18th century) - C.H. Spurgeon Morning and Evening
And He sent out two of His disciples and said to them, “Go into the city …” Mark 14:13
The two disciples were given very detailed instructions to go to a certain town and look for a particular man performing a specific task. He would have a large room, furnished and ready to observe the Passover. These instructions might have seemed unusual had it not been their Lord speaking, but the two disciples obeyed and found everything just as Jesus had said. Jesus knew exactly what they would find, and so He guided them specifically. One of the most memorable and precious times the disciples would spend with their Teacher hinged on the obedience of these two. Obedience to Christ's commands always brings fulfillment. When the Lord gives you instructions, obey immediately. Don't wait until you have figured it all out and everything makes perfect sense to you. Sometimes God will lead you to do things that you will not fully understand until after you have done them. He does not usually reveal all the details of His will when He first speaks to you. Instead, He tells you enough so you can implement what He has said, but He withholds enough information so that you must continue to rely upon His guidance. Your response will affect what God does next in your life. Your obedience may affect how others around you experience Christ as well. If there is any directive God has given you that you have not obeyed, obey that word immediately and watch God's perfect plan unfold in your life. - Blackaby Experiencing God Day by Day
There's been more than a few times in my life when sorrow and obedience went hand in hand.
The sorrow of my Savior was great in the Gospel accounts of His time in Gethsemane. We think we know sorrow. Oh my friend we haven't scratched the surface compared to what Jesus was confronting. In a short while all the sin of all history would be unceremoniously heaped upon Him on the cross. So much would be there that it would, for the only time in all creation, block His view of His Father. From before time began They enjoyed intimate intense fellowship. Consider your fondness memories of someone you care deeply about and multiply it by infinity. Then cut off that ability to have that on a scale unparalleled in anything. It wasn't just cut off, that fellowship was buried under sin. His own Father could not look at Him. He turned away.
That's sorrow.
But it was the price of obedience. The price that had to be paid to satisfy the penalty of sin. We sin daily. He promises the believer to wash them clean daily when we ask for forgiveness with repentance. There's the catch. You just cannot willingly continue in sin because you can be forgiven. Read Romans. Intentionally looking to sin is not it.
Obedience is often tied to sorrow. Sometimes it isn't. This world is going back and forth about obeying the Government concerning social distancing...keeping your distance in public. It's really putting a hurt on people who love to hug others. Who were brought up shaking hands. But for now it's necessary for self preservation.
Self preservation is to me a two edged sword. It's both good and bad. There's times when you are just in need of taking care of yourself, because there's a need to do so.
Sometimes that hurts to do so. When you really need comforting and what we normally would do is dangerous right now.
That's sorrow mixed with obedience.
We have had our lives seriously disrupted by the coronavirus. In ways few ever imagined. Many decades ago when pondering the events that must be evident at the beginning of the Tribulation was shown the very scenario we are in now. If it isn't going to happen soon, it's going to be an event like this.
At or around the time of the Rapture people will be doing what is happening right now. There will be no sports or movies going on. There will be governmental explanations as to what happened to so many people. Lies will be said through the media to cover it up. I am telling you, that's what I was shown.
We must turn to Jesus at this time. You can only go so long before you start to wonder about life. Sorrow is inevitable. But obeying God is what's important.
Download a Bible or order one if you don't have one. My friend it's time to start realizing that everything Jesus said was to happen is happening. You need to read it for yourself. You are looking for hope in all this hopelessness. It's not found in YouTube, Facebook, Instagram or Twitter. Not found in streaming networks. You will find your sorrow is still there after the show ends. Find out what Jesus has to say to you. In this world seeking peace and safety, look to the only one who can provide it.
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