Jordan Paul

For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted. —Hebrews 2:16–18

Dear Friends,

The story of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane probably doesn’t leap to the top of most people’s minds when asked to think of a happy story from scripture.

The story of Gethsemane is one of anguish. Anguish for Peter, James, and John for not obeying and anguish for Jesus for the things that he saw while praying overnight. Maybe he saw a vision of what exactly would happen to him after his capture. Maybe he saw the number of people that would, over the course of human history, turn away from him. So, most people are probably right, it’s not exactly a happy story. But it is a joyful one and one that should generate, above all, immense thankfulness.

Each time Jesus returns to his disciples and finds them sleeping. Sure, Judas betrayed Jesus but by making that decision, he was already on a bad path. But Peter, James, and John—disciples who still professed their loyalty to Jesus—could not even follow the simplest of directions. Yet, in the end, it did not matter. Jesus still fully submitted himself to the will of God, dying for disciples that could not muster the energy to stay awake and, in Peter’s case, not even have the courage to admit that he was one of the disciples. In the end, Jesus’ faithfulness toward his disciples does not depend on their faithfulness to him.

What is true of the disciples is indeed true of us, as well. At times, we too will find ourselves incapable of following Jesus’ commands (forgiveness, anyone?). We may even find ourselves denying our faith. But we will always find that neither the obstacles of this life nor, I’d argue, death, takes from us the ability to turn back to God—and find him waiting in return.

In the words of St. Paul: “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Or, in the words of Madeline L’Engle: “No matter how many eons it takes, he will not rest until all of creation, including Satan, is reconciled to him, until there is no creature who cannot return his love with a joyful response of love.”

A joyful story indeed.

Thanks be to God,

—Jordan