Tag: <span>broken heart</span>

Question: How does Jesus’ own suffering encourage you in times you suffer?


Go with me for a moment to witness what was perhaps the foggiest night in history. The scene is very simple; you’ll recognize it quickly. A grove of twisted olive trees. Ground cluttered with large rocks. A low stone fence. A dark, dark night.

Now, look into the picture. Look closely through the shadowy foliage. See that person? See that solitary figure? What’s he doing? Flat on the ground. Face stained with dirt and tears. Fists pounding the hard earth. Eyes wide with a stupor of fear. Hair matted with salty sweat. Is that blood on his forehead?

That’s Jesus. Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane.

Maybe you’ve seen the classic portrait of Christ in the garden. Kneeling beside a big rock. Snow-white robe. Hands peacefully folded in prayer. A look of serenity on his face. Halo over his head. A spotlight from heaven illuminating his golden-brown hair.

Now, I’m no artist, but I can tell you one thing. The man who painted that picture didn’t use the gospel of Mark as a pattern. When Mark wrote about that painful night, he used phrases like these: “Horror and dismay came over him.” “My heart is ready to break with grief.” “He went a little forward and threw himself on the ground.

Does this look like the picture of a saintly Jesus resting in the palm of God? Hardly. Mark used black paint to describe this scene. We see an agonizing, straining, and struggling Jesus. We see a “man of sorrows.” (Isaiah 53:3 NASB) We see a man struggling with fear, wrestling with commitments, and yearning for relief.

We see Jesus in the fog of a broken heart.

The writer of Hebrews would later pen,

During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death.” (Hebrews 5:7 NIV)

My, what a portrait! Jesus is in pain. Jesus is on the stage of fear. Jesus is cloaked, not in sainthood, but in humanity.

The next time the fog finds you, you might do well to remember Jesus in the garden. The next time you think that no one understands, reread the fourteenth chapter of Mark. The next time your self-pity convinces you that no one cares, pay a visit to Gethsemane. And the next time you wonder if God really perceives the pain that prevails on this dusty planet, listen to him pleading among the twisted trees.

The next time you are called to suffer, pay attention. It may be the closest you’ll ever get to God. Watch closely. It could very well be that the hand that extends itself to lead you out of the fog is a pierced one.

Question: How does Jesus’ own suffering encourage you in times you suffer?

By Max Lucado
Used by permission

We Welcome your comments.

Enter Email
reCAPTCHA

To learn more about Max Lucado visit his website at:
http://maxlucado.com/about/

Original image from https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/c2/46/bb/c246bbbce203df476766b7031810f8a6.jpg


Further Reading

•   At the Foot of the Cross – Powerful Poem

•  Touched by the Risen Lord by Elfrieda Nikkel

•  Salvation Explained


Follow Us On:  Facebook  • Twitter  •  Instagram  •  Pinterest


 

thoughts by Max Lucado Thoughts by Men


“The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit. “ Psalm 34:18

Can you imagine if my crystal vase fell off this shelf onto the hardwood floor below? It would crash and break into innumerable pieces unable to be put back together.

What do you do when your world is crumbling in a thousand tiny pieces and you see it slipping through your hands?

You are grasping to hold on, keep it from falling apart, but all you hold in your hands is shattered, broken pieces.

Nothing is too broken for God.

He wants to put it back together and put it back stronger than before, better than before, and often in a new direction. His process of restoration and rebuilding will bring change. You won’t be the same person after having gone through this. You will be a new, improved you!

He will not put you back together only to have you pick up where you left off before this trial happened. You are not the person you were going into this experience. You have learned many things and you have grown and are still growing. God will use this growth so you can now help others. What a privilege it is to be able to help someone go through a similar storm to one God has just brought us through.

You can trust your heavenly Father to rebuild what the enemy has torn down, if you will lay all the pieces of your life into His hands and call on Him to rebuild what is broken. He will make all things beautiful in His perfect way and in His perfect time. Your heavenly Father wants you to trust Him as you have never trusted before.

By Kathy Cheek
Used by Permission


Do you want to start trusting Christ Jesus today to be the healer of your broken heart?  Your healing journey with him can start today with a simple prayer that expresses your trust and belief in him.  If you believe these words, then say this sample prayer and HE WILL come into your life.

Lord Jesus, I need You. Thank You for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life and receive You as my Savior and Lord. Thank You for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. Take control of the throne of my life. Make me the kind of person You want me to be.  Be the healer of my soul.”

This is just the beginning.  We encourage to read the links below and get connected with a good church.  Also, consider an online mentor which we can connect you to.


If you prayed this prayer we would love to hear from you . If you would like to know God deeper we can connect you with an email mentor and/or send you some great links.


Enter Email


Further Reading

•  Good News for You
•  A Poem of Hope
•  Salvation Explained

Follow Us On:

Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Pinterest

thoughts by Kathy Cheek Thoughts by Women