As the chill of winter lingers in the night air, a full moon illuminates the ancient city of Jerusalem. On the Mount of Olives' hillside small groups of travelers huddle around campfires telling stories of distance times and places, and in their midst a Rabbi, encouraging three of his closest friends to keep watch with Him, moves deeper into the cold darkness. Tonight is no ordinary night. It is the L-RD's Passover - the greatest night in the history of the world to that point. It is a celebration of when G-D hears the cry of His people and acts against their oppression, exercising the strongest vengeance on the Egyptian gods and on Pharaoh.
G-D kept vigil that night to ensure that Pharaoh would let His people - the Israelites - go (Exodus 12:42). Because of His watchfulness, many deeply religious Jews of the first century kept watch, anticipating another redemption, another night when G-D would redeem His people from their oppressors. Many years have passed since that night in Egypt. Kingdoms have risen and fallen, and yet, the Jewish people have maintained their identity and religion, continuing to call on G-D for His great deliverance.
It is this night - the night of watching - that the Son of G-D says to His disciples: “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” (Matthew 26:38) And His prayer? “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” (Matthew 26:39)
No one understood the weight of Jesus' watchfulness that night. How could they? Everyone envisioned a deliverer - a messiah - who would establish an earthly kingdom and reign with justice and righteousness. They were watching for this messiah to come in force and power, light and glory. Someone who would crush the head of their oppressors, the Romans.
But this was not the vision G-D had in mind. He planned for a greater deliverance on this night of watching - something that would obliterate the kingdom of darkness and death and disease, and oppression and abuse and addiction. How? By laying down everything - His Son. Only then would true redemption reign. It was the hardest thing He ever did.
Tonight Passover begins. Tonight is the Night of Watching (Leil Shimurim - ley-EEL shi-mur-EEM in Hebrew). For those celebrating, remember that deliverance came with death - the death of sons/the Son. Freedom from oppression and sin costs a great deal. Celebrate your freedom, and don't forget the cost. G-D has heard our cry, and stayed up all night to deliver us. May the Name of the L-RD be praised!
G-D kept vigil that night to ensure that Pharaoh would let His people - the Israelites - go (Exodus 12:42). Because of His watchfulness, many deeply religious Jews of the first century kept watch, anticipating another redemption, another night when G-D would redeem His people from their oppressors. Many years have passed since that night in Egypt. Kingdoms have risen and fallen, and yet, the Jewish people have maintained their identity and religion, continuing to call on G-D for His great deliverance.
It is this night - the night of watching - that the Son of G-D says to His disciples: “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” (Matthew 26:38) And His prayer? “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” (Matthew 26:39)
No one understood the weight of Jesus' watchfulness that night. How could they? Everyone envisioned a deliverer - a messiah - who would establish an earthly kingdom and reign with justice and righteousness. They were watching for this messiah to come in force and power, light and glory. Someone who would crush the head of their oppressors, the Romans.
But this was not the vision G-D had in mind. He planned for a greater deliverance on this night of watching - something that would obliterate the kingdom of darkness and death and disease, and oppression and abuse and addiction. How? By laying down everything - His Son. Only then would true redemption reign. It was the hardest thing He ever did.
Tonight Passover begins. Tonight is the Night of Watching (Leil Shimurim - ley-EEL shi-mur-EEM in Hebrew). For those celebrating, remember that deliverance came with death - the death of sons/the Son. Freedom from oppression and sin costs a great deal. Celebrate your freedom, and don't forget the cost. G-D has heard our cry, and stayed up all night to deliver us. May the Name of the L-RD be praised!