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REFLECTION

“Overwhelmed with sorrow, to the point of death” is the theme for our reflection. To be overwhelmed means to be overpowered or submerged in thoughts or feelings. Sorrow is deep distress, grief or sadness. “To the point of death” mean that a situation is life-threatening. The theme can therefore be rephrased as “Jesus experienced the kind of sorrow He had never felt before”. The question, therefore, is what made Him overwhelmed with sorrow, to the point of death? Jesus was overwhelmed with sorrow because of the kind of torture, suffering and death He was about to go through at hands of His enemies. At Gethsemane he said to the disciples, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” (Matthew 26:38)

It is important to mention that Jesus was human although He was also God. There were times He laughed, played and expressed emotions of happiness or joy. Ecclesiastes 3:4 teaches us that there is “a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance” (Ecclesiastes 3:4). The appointed time of Jesus’ sacrifice had come through the betrayal of His own disciple. Jesus was overwhelmed with sorrow because of the pain of being betrayed by His own disciple, the loneliness He was about to experience in suffering and the humiliation and unjust treatment He was about to go through at the hands of His enemies. Out of the overwhelming sorrow, Jesus expressed His anxiety and the willingness to endure it all through prayer saying “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will… “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.” (Matthew 26:39,42). Beloved in the Lord, sorrow or grief is unavoidable in life. It is part of our life’s journey as human beings and has been clearly stated in Ecclesiastes 3:4 There will be a time in your life that you will be overwhelmed with sorrow, to the point of death because of the loss of a family member or close friend, disappointment in your relationship, misfortune at your workplace or retrogression in your business, long period of unemployment or being hit by a piece of sad or unexpected news. These situations and many more may come our way in life to cause us overwhelming sorrow, to the point of death. What do you do in such situations or what will do when you are overwhelmed with sorrow, to the point of death? Jesus teaches us through His example that we must continue to depend on God through prayer and faith and most importantly do His will. It is important to do His will in all situations including situations of overwhelming sorrow. In a situation of overwhelming sorrow, many people are unable to pray and their faith becomes weak. Consequently, they are broken down in despair or hopelessness. Jesus has greatly encouraged us through His experience of overwhelming sorrow that all is not lost, therefore, we must continue to trust God even in our most challenging moments, “For in him we live and move and have our being.” Acts 17:28

Beloved in the Lord, there are times when the people who are close to us may not even understand our grief or overwhelming sorrow. In Jesus’ situation, His disciples could not adequately provide Him with the emotional and spiritual support He needed at the time He was overwhelmed with sorrow, to the point of death. Jesus expressed His disappointment when he said “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”… (Matthew 26:40-41). The more we trust people, the more we get disappointed and overwhelmed with sorrow. Jesus’ experience with His disciple during His time of sorrow has taught us that the only one worth trusting at all times is God. He understands our sorrows and listens to our prayers of distress. When we are overwhelmed with sorrow, to the point of death, the Psalmist has taught us to trust in the Lord saying, “I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. (Psalms 121:1-2). Truly, David testified that the Lord is worth trusting, therefore, he wrote that “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. (Psalms 23:4) Again, Isaiah gives us another reason to trust the Lord when we are overwhelmed with sorrow when he said that “but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. (Isaiah 40:31). Dear friend, I do not know the sorrow and overwhelming disappointment you are experiencing now but I am assured of God’s presence in your life if only you will put your faith in Him. I am encouraging you to turn to Him in faith and don’t give up for “we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28). Jesus has experienced overwhelming sorrow, to the point of death, therefore, He is with you and will heal you through the power of the Holy Spirit and grant you total restoration at His own appointed time. Shalom.

PRAYER

Lord Jesus, in our overwhelming sorrow, we put our trust in you for total restoration. May the Holy Spirit strengthen us to endure overwhelming sorrow and be restored, so that we shall say with the Psalmist, “I will declare your name to my people; in the assembly I will praise you.” (Psalms 22:22) Amen