In the Garden With Jesus - a Lent Journey for TeensSample

Take my sweaty hands

Jesus is preparing for His death. What a scary thought! He is working through it by finding a way to fully embrace it.

He could have taken on the persona of an untouchable hero, ready to save the day.

He could have taken on the persona of an uninvolved and know-it-all teacher.

Yet, He chooses the role of a teacher that is fully human and fully involved. Showing us that He was overwhelmed with sorrow and not hiding it, not opting for the classic “smile and wave” move.

How does it feel to know that Jesus experienced and showed such tense emotion?

Maybe it was necessary for His disciples, His friends, to see this part of His heart. Not only for them, but even for Himself.

Jesus asks both His friends and God for help during this time in the Garden. Who do we ask for help in our “garden” moments, where we suffer and need someone to hold our sweaty hands?

God invites us to have these conversations with Him, where we open our hearts fully and even cry out: “It’s just too much!”

God also works through His people - your community.

I wonder, how can we hold each other’s sweaty hands in times of pain and suffering?

Exercise:

Find someone that you can ask to walk or just be in the “garden” with you during Lent.

Prayer:

God, I ask for a deep awareness of Your love for me and Your work in me.