"Good Friday" in Gethsemane
Being "Good Friday", I thought I would share a few thoughts the LORD has laid on my heart. Recently, I read an article that challenged me with what it truly means to be a man.
Here is the part that stood out to me the most:
"There’s nothing un-manly about being honest with where you are. Actually, it’s quite manly to be honest, to share with others, to seek help. It shows that you’re comfortable being vulnerable, shows that you’re not afraid to show your weakness". (x3church: 5 Ways To Be a Man)
As I thought about the above and pondered some about this special day celebrating our Lord, this day that we call "Good Friday", here is what I found God stirring in my soul:
Though our Savior was without sin, Jesus was nevertheless a man: one who experienced weakness and vulnerability.
He wasn't afraid of His emotions and expressing His heart. And on that Good Friday (or several hours before) so long ago, He demonstrated picture perfect what it means being a true man, a genuine follower of God.
In the garden of Gethsemane, He wept out loud to His Father (was vulnerable). He also asked His disciples to keep watch and pray (being honest about His needs and theirs).
He was sorrowful and troubled and His soul was overwhelmed to the point of death even!
Our Lord then fell with His face to the ground and prayed a prayer that actually distinguished his will (in the flesh as a man) from that of His Father's.
He cried:
"My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as You will".
This is one of those places where you really get to see the absolute turmoil of our Savior.
He's hurting; He's crying out; He's asking, pleading even (for help). Simply put, our Savior is being a real man: a man expressing his heart - and in need - asking for help while vulnerable before Earth and Heaven.
Christ came to seek and save lost humanity. His atoning sacrifice is central to the gospel message. But aside from this fundamental truth, Jesus also happens to beautifully model for us how a man is to walk in weakness.
Look again at what happens in Gethsemane. Our Savior desires and seeks the help of His companions (watch and pray). He openly and honestly shares his heart before His heavenly Father. He even pleads his own will.
But then above all else, He shows us where true strength is found: obedience rooted in amazing love for His Father and His fellow man. And this happens in the context of his weakness as a man.
It is here that Christ truly gives to us the "Lord's prayer". And it is a beautifully prayed prayer of perfection: wrapped in sorrow, hurt, tears and astounding vulnerability!
Prayed in submission, I believe it is the perfect prayer of faith:
"Not my will, but Thine be done".
With those seven simple words, the VICTORY is won!
The perfect prayer of God's anointed Son!
"Not my will, but Thine be done".
To me, that is what being a real man is truly about. And if you - like me - desire to be real men of faith who walk their belief out in genuine Christian shoe leather, then along with me, let's praise this Son of Man, this Son of God together, as we celebrate this GOOD "Good Friday" and as we practice together getting real and vulnerable before each other and God! For like Jesus, when we are weak, if we rest in our Father's will, we truly are men - real men of God!
Good Friday in Gethsemane
Mark 14:32-42
