A Walk Through the Garden

The past few years I have put together prayer stations for Good Friday for our church. This is a time when people can come and visit the different stations which will be set up around our sanctuary. It's a time of reflection and prayer. There is usually some sort of activity at each one.

As I work on the stations this year and am reading the account of Jesus' death and resurrection, I am amazed at how rich these passages are. This year's prayer stations will walk the congregation Jesus' time in the Garden of Gethsamene and tie it to Psalm 23. I always enjoy working on these type of activities because it also speaks to me as I prepare.

Some beautiful preliminary observations as I work through this:

Jesus, the Good Shepherd, faced his darkest valley and is with us when we go through our darkest valley. 

The disciples struggled to stay awake and kept falling asleep and we are told the Good Shepherd gives us sweet rest.

Jesus was the living water sand the Shepherd leads us beside quiet waters. He is the water that refreshes and quenches our deepest thirst.

Jesus prays in the garden that, if possible, He would not have to drink the cup of suffering. And yet, because He submitted to the Father, our cups overflow with blessing. 

His submission to the Father's will, is a model for us as we submit to the Shepherd's leading.

He endured beating and abuse with sticks and lashes and yet, His rod and staff gently guide us. 

Jesus' sacrifice of His life and His resurrection allows for the renewing of our life.

He sat at the table with the one who would betray Him to His enemies and is with us when we sit with our enemies.

Blood flowed down Jesus head from the crown of thorns and the beating. Annointing oil of blessing flows down ours. 

And ultimately, because of Jesus' work on the cross we are ushered into the house of the Lord where we will live with Him forever.

What a beautiful picture! I am constantly amazed at the depth of God's word and how He continues to reveal new things in familiar passages.

Gardens bring beauty into our lives and gardens can also be places where we reflect, pray, meditate and wrestle through struggles. My prayer is that as our congregation walks through this garden where Jesus' prayed would bring a deeper richness to our understanding of His sacrifice.

Psalm 23 ~ 

The Lord is my shepherd;
there is nothing I lack.
He lets me lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside quiet waters.
He renews my life;
He leads me along the right paths
for His name’s sake.

Even when I go through the darkest valley,
I fear no danger,
for You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff—they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.

Only goodness and faithful love will pursue me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
as long as I live.