Morning Meditation:"In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God, from whom and through whom everything exists, should make the author of their salvation perfect through suffering. Both the one who made men holy and those who are being made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers."- Hebrews 2:10

The disciples had observed the Lord's habit of prayer; He was always rising up early, or going off by Himself to pray. They had grown accustomed to His deep devotion to the Father, so they didn't wonder what He was doing on this particular night. They had just celebrated the Passover meal with Him. During the meal He humbled Himself before them, and "made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant" (Philippians 2:7), and He washed their feet, explaining that this was an example for them to follow. While they were eating He took the bread, gave thanks and broke it, and told them to eat it for this is His body. He did the same with the cup, announcing that "This is my blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins" (Matthew 26:26-28). They concluded the meal singing the Hallel Psalms and then walked together to the Mount of Olives. It had been a wonderful evening with the Lord. Their stomachs were full and they were satisfied. So when they arrived at the garden they laid down to rest; seemingly unaware of the heavy cloak of grief that was weighing upon the Lord. While they were sleeping and resting Jesus was suffering alone, in deep agony and anguish; "overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death" (Mark 14:34a). His suffering was just beginning; but it would be here, in the garden, in the place of temptation that had first caused man to sin, where He would fight His greatest battle. It would be here that He would set the precedence for all spiritual battles to come. So that we would know that the battles we face, as believers are always fought and won in the place of prevailing prayer. "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, and He was heard because of His reverent submission. Although He was a son, He learned obedience from what He suffered and, once made perfect, He became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey Him..." (Hebrews 5:8-9).

The place the disciples always found the Lord during His ministry on earth was before the Father in prayer; and this is the place we'll find Him now - as permanent High Priest in the heavenly sanctuary interceding on our behalf (Hebrews 7:25). If we expect to find Jesus, if we truly want His help, then we are going to have to seek Him - by following His supreme example - in the secret place of prayer. "Because He Himself suffered when He was tempted, He is able to help those who are being tempted" (Hebrews 2:18). To follow His example will mean times of isolation and quiet solitude, being humbled as a servant, suffering contempt and ridicule; it will mean trials and persecution, being despised and misunderstood, and denying all to follow Him regardless of the cost. "If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me" (Mark 8:34). Jesus dwelt with man on earth in the deepest level of anguish so He could become qualified to pay the price of our sin, and so we could dwell with Him in heaven. A supreme benefit of this superior Covenant is that we are no longer dependent on any other to go before the Holy Father on our behalf; that way was made perfect through the suffering of our Lord. May we confess that at times, with our full bellies and comfortable lives, we have neglected prayer and drifted off to sleep; and may we repent of the times we have avoided deeper spiritual things because of what it would require of us, instead of realizing the greater blessings and benefits that we would receive; and forgetting the price that was paid to make our burdens light. "Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest...For My yoke is easy and My burden is light" (Matthew 11:28, 30).

(1 Peter 2:21)

Afternoon Devotion: "Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope."- Romans 5:3-4

Jesus was made perfect through suffering. Not that He was imperfect, but that by identifying Himself with man in the deepest level of anguish, He became the source of eternal salvation for all who would obey Him. It is through suffering that we are identified with Christ. God uses trials, adversities, and difficulties in the life of His children so we can become mature and look more like His Son. Jesus is our supreme example of suffering, and because of Him we can rejoice "in" our sufferings, and find that what was once misery is instead a holy privilege "Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when His glory is revealed" (1 Peter 4:12-13).

We receive the blessing of being able to "rejoice in our sufferings," because of the supreme sacrifice of our Savior. Even though affliction is an inevitable part of our Christian experience, we can rejoice because God is working through our sufferings to perfect us in Christ. "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world" (John 16:33b). Every trial provides another opportunity to purify us and refine us, to build patience and endurance, and bring us to a place of peace and security. Our trials bring us closer to the Lord and keep moving us toward our ultimate goal. "I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing to the glory that will be revealed in us" (Romans 8:18). There is a great storehouse of knowledge available to those who persevere through times of trial and suffering. It is only in tribulation that we can unlock the secret door into the depths of God's heart. It is through suffering, and by no other means, that we gain understanding of His anguish - at its' deepest level. It is in these deep places of weakness, when self has been emptied because we have nothing left to give, that we are able to tap into that fountainhead of divine strength, and find that we've been given the sacred trust as keepers of the heart of God. Let us confess that with all the trouble surrounding us, we have been holding a less than joyous and triumphant view of life. Let us repent of brooding around in misery and defeat, rather than living as victorious conquerors in Christ. "Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer" (Romans 12:12).

(Colossians 1:24)