Mosaiek Church Lent 2025: Jesus' Questions in SufferingSample

They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled.

-Mark 14:32-33 (NLV)

Jesus went to another place - the garden. Here He could be alone, with His disciples nearby. He could come into contact with the turmoil within Him. Perhaps we can recognise that Gethsemane is not simply a physical place, but that in Jesus coming here, He enters also into a specific emotional space. He enters a space of openness and vulnerability where He can honestly share with both God and His disciples that He is scared and anxious. Here, He doesn’t rationalise or minimalise. He sits with what He is feeling and brings it into earnest conversation with His Father.

Instead of following Jesus’ example when we find ourselves in times of loss or challenges, we often fight, we hide, and we tremble… we resist rather than enter this emotional space where we courageously open up to God and to others and show them what we are really feeling. We pull the covers over the questions we don’t dare to ask and hide the cries of despair and anger we are too ashamed to give voice to. What if we intentionally decide that while we go to a physical space during this Lent journey, we will also ask Jesus to lead us to an emotional space where we can be authentic, honest and open in conversation with Him and the community we journey with? This was important for Jesus as part of what was necessary for Him to continue on His road of suffering. Perhaps it can be meaningful for us as well as we face the challenges and pressures in our daily lives.

Reflection: Consider your relationship with Jesus. How is He inviting you to be more honest and open in terms of your experience of suffering?

Now think about the people you are closest to. How can you grow in your emotional capacity to be more vulnerable and open in these relationships?

Prayer: Jesus, I pray for the grace of a deep sense of your presence in my life.