April 1, 2026 Midweek News
Last Sunday we continued our series “Entering the Passion of Jesus” by moving from the parade of Palm Sunday to the grief of the Garden of Gethsemane.
In the garden, the risk wasn’t just on Jesus; it was on his followers, too. Jesus said to them, “‘I’m very sad. It’s as if I’m dying. Stay here and keep alert.’ … He came and found them sleeping.” (Mark 14:34, 37). They were tempted to shut their eyes to avoid the pain of the moment. When the pressure mounted and Jesus shared his concern and anxiety, some fell asleep. As the crowd came to arrest Jesus, others reached for their swords, tempted to rely on their own strength in the face of violence. But Jesus resisted violence. Jesus calls us to a different way—a way of nonviolence and solidarity that heals even the enemy.
In our lives, we are often challenged when accompanying others in their pain. Sometimes we prefer to ignore their pain, and “fall asleep,” or take dramatic action that ends up harming others. As we journey through this holy week, I invite you to stay awake to Jesus. Spend time in his presence. Give your attention to the grief and hardship of the others. Lift this prayer as we prepare to enter into the darkness with Christ, yearning for resurrection and hope.
Brother Jesus, in this holiest of weeks, we ask: Can you count on us to ‘stay awake’ to the pain of the world? Forgive us when we fall asleep to the needs of our neighbors or reach for ‘swords’ of anger instead of the towel of service. Help us to risk our own comfort to stand by the vulnerable, just as you stood by us. Amen.“
Holy Week Blessings,
Pastor Jared