TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
“My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death,” he said to them. “Stay here and keep watch.” Mark 14:34
Read: Mark 14:32-34
Listen: Mark 14
TODAY’S MESSAGE
Jesus comes to earth for the full human experience. He is fully human, so he knows what it is like to have deep joy and terrible pain. He feels happiness and sadness. He knows anger and anxiety. The gospels tell us that Jesus experienced incredible grief. He weeps at the death of his close friend (John 11:35). He cries over a city and a people that keep rebelling against God (Luke 19:41). He is sorrowful and distressed to the point of near death in the garden (Mark 14:34). Jesus knows sadness and sorrow.
Jesus knows what we are going through. When we talk to God about the sadness and sorrow we experience, Jesus steps in with empathy. When we experience the loss of a loved one, Jesus has been there. When we look at the world and wonder why people keep choosing to do the wrong things, Jesus knows what that’s like. When we experience something personal that’s very difficult and causing us anguish, Jesus faced that.
IN YOUR CHAIR TIME TODAY
Spend some time talking to God. Consider opening your hands on your lap. Start by sharing with God something that is causing sadness in your heart. Ask God to act in that situation. Thank Jesus for knowing what you are going through. Tell God you trust him and ask him to help you trust him more. For more on navigating sadness, check out this video from Pastor Aaron Buer with a local counselor.
2022 BIBLE MEMORY PRACTICE
Develop spiritual roots and tap in the power of God’s word by memorizing monthly a Bible verse! View previous verses at beyondtheweekend.org/biblememorypractice.
JAMES 1:19–20
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.
Download a printable PDF of the BTW week here.
