INTENSE MENTAL SUFFERING

 

Wednesday, April 9, 2025

 

INTENSE MENTAL SUFFERING

 

Matt 26:37-38

37 And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy.

38 Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.

 

          It has been said that “nobody fakes depression but many fake being okay.” Jesus was not okay! His complex union of deity and humanity suffered sorrow. Supper was over and all but Judas had resorted to a quiet garden. It was there that Jesus would struggle with the weight of man’s sin and the knowledge of the high cost of redemption.

 

          Because words have meaning, several of the words in our text require our keen attention. The word began stands out as intentional. It was a planned enterprise. Sorrow and heaviness were part of redemption. In fact, the Greek confirms this saying that the word means something “rehearsed.”

 

          Jesus was “exceeding sorrowful.” The Greek word is perilupos which means “grieved all around.” This tells me that there was no relief from any quarter. He asked to be released from the contents of the cup he must drink, and His Father did not answer. He came to His disciples and found them asleep. Luke chapter 22 said they were “sleeping for sorrow.” The air hung heavy with grief and their only escape was to close their minds to it and sleep.

 

          Jesus requested their company while he agonized. He did not ask them to share it but to simply be with Him while he suffered. I have learned the “ministry of presence.” The ministry of presence is a ministry given to all believers. We are all priests in service to God. We are a royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9), and as priests we represent God's presence. When Christians express their care and love for another by being present, they are also expressing Jesus' loving concern. It is a gift of time.

 

          Two important things can be gained from our brief study today. First, we need to remember the depth of suffering given by Jesus on our behalf. Next, we need to be aware of those suffering around us and be a companion of comfort to them. A visit or a phone call may be the difference between courage and despair.

 

Dear Lord, thank you for your unspeakable suffering for me. Let me be a comfort to someone today. AMEN