Enlarging Your Soul Through Grief and Loss: Part 5 Matthew 26:36-46

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“Blessed are those who mourn for they will be comforted.” Matthew 5:4

36 Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” 37 He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38 Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” 39 Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” 40 Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. 41 “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

42 He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.” 43 When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. 44 So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing. 45 Then he returned to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour has come, and the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. 46 Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!” Matthew 26:36-46

Sorrowful: depressed, horror came over him, troubled, severely distressed, anguish (v37) Overwhelmed to point of death (v38) Face down in the dirt (v39) “He (Jesus) offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death.” Hebrews 5:7 “He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering” Isaiah 53:3

1.Listen to the Interruptions Our children Death Divorce Break ups Illnesses Disappointments Abuse Dashed dreams Failures Our parents Hurts Opportunities disappear

1.Listen to the Interruptions Jesus embraces loss and grief We’re heading for a tough time. I’m gonna die. God is on the throne! But I’ll beat death and save the world. Watch me and be strong! “ My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will” Matthew 26:39

1.Listen to the Interruptions Jesus embraces loss and grief Let’s go and get Lazarus out the tomb. We’ll show who’s in charge! “Where have you laid him ?” he (Jesus) asked. “Come and see Lord” they replied. Jesus wept. John 11:34-35

1.Listen to the Interruptions Jesus embraces loss and grief Jerusalem you’ve had your chance now you must face the consequences! “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem... How often have I longed to gather your children together, as a chicken gathers her chicks under her wings”. Matthew 23:37

1.Listen to the Interruptions Jesus embraces loss and grief (From the cross) “Father, I praise you that my death will defeat sin!” “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”. Matthew 27:46

2.Learn to Fall Vs “Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:26-28

2.Learn to Fall – Breaks self will Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered.” Hebrews 5:8 Hebrews 5:8

2.Learn to Fall – Let go and meet deep love

2.Learn to Fall – Prayer

I tell you the truth, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. John 12:24