The Agonizing Cry Of Jesus Series

GOSPEL OF MARK: GOD’S SERVANT IN ACTION

AGONIZING CRY OF JESUS

Good morning, Family.

I am hoping and praying that everyone is well and is staying safe. Today is our third Sunday that we have NOT been able to WORSHIP together as a FAMILY. And I know it is HARD on everyone not being able to gather for worship, but, sadly, these STEPS have become necessary in an ATTEMPT to KEEP everyone SAFE and HEALTHY.

We have many MEMBERS of our church who are in the HIGH RISK category. And knowing that some of you will come to WORSHIP every time the door is open no matter what, the elders, not wanting to put anyone’s health and wellbeing in JEOPARDY, have prayerfully decided to extend the closing of the doors of our church building at least through Easter Sunday, and will decide later about the rest of April. Now, again, as we have said so often, our DOORS may be CLOSED but Garfield Christian Church is not.

We are still here praying, serving, and sharing God’s Word through the means of this video and social media. Many of you have posted INSPIRATIONAL memes, scriptures and prayers on Facebook and other media PLATFORMS. Prayer Requests are still being emailed out so that YOU Prayer Warriors can join other Prayer Warriors in lifting those concerns to our Heavenly Father. If you want someone to PRAY for you personally over the PHONE, please REACH OUT to me.

If you need groceries and cannot afford them, our Food Pantry is stocked. If you are unable to get out to buy groceries and other essentials or to pick up your medications from the Pharmacy, we have members of our church who are standing by ready and eager to help. They are just waiting to hear from you. Text or call or send me an email, and I will make sure your NEEDS are taken care of.

As you read through the Bible you will find God’s people faced with many TRIALS and TRIBULATIONS, but they remained FAITHFUL through it all and came out stronger than when they went in. And I believe that will still be true today of the church of Jesus Christ. WITH THE HELP OF GOD, WE WILL GET THROUGH THIS. AMEN?

A. We are continuing our sermon series on the Gospel of Mark, so turn to Mark 15:33-37 (READ)

ILLUSTRATION:

In Mark 14 after Jesus instituted what we know as the Lord’s Supper, He comes to a garden called Gethsemane with three of his closest friends: Peter, James, and John. He tells them to sit and wait while He goes into the garden to PRAY. Before walking away He says to His friends, “My soul is overwhelmed with SORROW to the point of DEATH. Stay here and keep watch.” He goes a little ways into the Garden and falls to the ground and prays: “Abba Father (my Dearest Father),

everything is possible for You. Take this cup from Me. Yet, not what I will, but what you will.”

Jesus then lifts Himself from the ground and walks slowly back to where He left the disciples and finds them sleeping. Jesus is so HURT. He said to Peter, “Could you not keep watch for one hour?” He returned to the garden and fell to the ground once again praying in agony, “Father, if it be your WILL, please take this cup from me.” Then SWEAT began forming on His face and fell to the ground like drops of BLOOD. For the third time he cries, “Please, Father, let this cup pass from

Me.”

While Jesus is agonizing in the garden, Judas makes his way to Gethsemane with a band of armed SOLDIERS. Upon finding Him, Judas walks up to Jesus and BETRAYS Him with a KISS.

(Why a KISS Judas? Why a gesture of AFFECTION? Why not just SLAP Him?)

ILLUSTRATION (cont.):

Throughout the night Jesus is handled like an ANIMAL—like a LAMB going to SLAUGHTER. He was ARRESTED and BOUND by the soldiers and led to Caiaphas who was the acting HIGH PRIEST that year. While in custody, FALSE WITNESSES came and testified against Him. Some began to MOCK and BEAT Him. Blindfolding Jesus, some of the SOLDIERS beat Him across the face with their FISTS saying, “Prophesy! Who is it that HIT you?” Then they BLASPHEMED Him. The very thing of which they ACCUSED Jesus they were doing—

BLASPHEMING God!

All while Jesus was being BEATEN and BLASPHEMED by His ACCUSERS, Peter was in the courtyard CURSING and DENYING that he even knew Jesus. Then Peter heard a HAUNTING sound in the night—“a ROOSTER CROWING”. At that moment he turned around and saw Jesus,

the One for whom he said he would DIE, standing near looking at him.

“Tell us if you are the Christ,” Caiaphas demanded. Jesus said, “If I tell you, you won’t believe Me.” “Are you the Son of God?” “Yes, I am!” Jesus replied. Tearing his clothes Caiaphas said, “This man BLASPHEMES. What more do we need? What shall we do with Him?”