And Myrrh
Jesus, in the midst of His agony, demonstrated unwavering love and acceptance towards His disciples despite their failure to support Him.
G.W. North reflects on the profound loneliness of Jesus during His agony in the garden, where He cried out in anguish while His closest disciples slept, symbolizing humanity's oblivion to His suffering. Despite knowing that He would face His final ordeal alone, even forsaken by God, Jesus held no bitterness towards His disciples, understanding their human frailty. His love remained steadfast, as He sought only their companionship in His moment of need. This sermon emphasizes the depth of Christ's sacrifice and the weight of His commitment to fulfill the Father's will, even in the face of abandonment.
Text
He cried out from the fires of agony, His sweat pouring from Him for all the world like drops of blood, but the chosen on whose behalf He cried were lying asleep behind Him. He had no illusions. He fully realised that they represented the whole vast company of people, who, oblivious as they, would be for ever unaware. Yet neither their sleep nor their inability to watch with Him through one dark hour embittered His soul; He loved them. He had always known that when He reached the last terrible ordeal now lying so close just ahead of Him, He would be out on His own. He knew that in the final event no-one would be with Him, not even God.
That had been perfectly understood between Father and He from the beginning.
Long ago in eternity past He had agreed to it before ever He undertook to be made a man. So desire it as He may, He did not really expect men to stay with Him; why, even God was going to forsake Him. Peter, James and John, who had been chosen by Him to become future pillars of His Church, completely failed Him; they were a disappointment to Him, but He felt no bitterness. All He sought of them was human love and companionship while He committed Himself afresh to His Father's will, that was all. But it was not to be. And so to crucifixion.
Sermon Outline
- The Agony of Christ
- Physical and Emotional Suffering
- The Chosen Failed Him
- No Expectation of Human Support
Key Quotes
“He had no illusions. He fully realised that they represented the whole vast company of people, who, oblivious as they, would be for ever unaware.” — G.W. North
“He knew that in the final event no-one would be with Him, not even God.” — G.W. North
Application Points
- We can learn to love and accept others even when they fail us, just as Jesus did with His disciples.
- Jesus' example teaches us to prioritize our relationship with God above human relationships.
- We must not expect human support or companionship in our times of need, but rather seek to commit ourselves to God's will.