YOU NEED OTHERS

“They went to the olive grove called Gethsemane, and Jesus said, “Sit here while I go and pray.” He took Peter, James, and John with him, and he became deeply troubled and distressed. He told them, “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” - Mark 1:32-34 


“I DON’T NEED ANYBODY BUT THE LORD!” Wow - how many times have you heard people say something like that? Thing is, Jesus didn’t act like that - so why do we?


“My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”


It sounds brave and bold - “Look at how tough I am: I don’t need anyone! I can do this, just me and Jesus!” But saying that and believing it means you think you are stronger than Jesus b/c He most certainly did tell the disciples He needed them near when things were really getting intense. “Gethsemane” (the garden where He uttered these words) literally means “The Press” as in the press used to get the oil out of olives. The imagery points to a press where pressure is applied to bring out the goodness. Its the olive oil that was most valuable to them (although we love ‘em on pizzas, but I digress…) Jesus knew the end result of what was coming - salvation for the world. But He also knew what the process would bring before reaching the finish line - pain. Great pain. Suffering beyond any that any has ever experienced - before or since. And in that moment, facing that oncoming storm, Jesus says “Hey guys - I need you with me, ok?”


Learn from Jesus. You need people. Speak up and ask for them to sit with you, to listen, to be with you through this. It’s ok.  The Lone Ranger was fiction. Real people need real people… um… really. Follow Jesus. 


Spark. Flame. Spread it.