How do we move through our worries and our suffering? As we have been in the midst of a global pandemic for the last year, this question may have become more significant to us.

How do we follow Jesus then; when we feel sad, when we have so many worries, when joy feels far away?

Let’s explore this further.

But first something a bit silly:

ICE BREAKER  - WOULD YOU RATHER

1. Would you rather always be 10 minutes late or always be 20 minutes early?

2. Would you rather have unlimited international first-class tickets or never have to pay for food at restaurants?

3. Would you rather be forced to dance every time you heard music or be forced to sing along to any song you heard?

4. Would you rather only be able to use a fork (no spoon) or only be able to use a spoon (no fork)?

5. Would you rather be compelled to high-five everyone you meet or be compelled to give to hug anyone in a green T-shirt?

Mark, in his gospel, helps us to look at the idea of worry, fear and suffering in the light of how Jesus felt.

Let’s take a closer look at this story:

In an upper room Jesus spent time time with those he was closest to, sharing bread and wine with them.

It is here that he told those he loved that he is about to go to the cross, and that there was someone in that room who would betray him.

Mark's Gospel - Chapter 14

17-18 After sunset he came with the Twelve. As they were at the supper table eating, Jesus said, “I have something hard but important to say to you: One of you is going to hand me over to the conspirators, one who at this moment is eating with me.”

19 Stunned, they started asking, one after another, “It isn’t me, is it?”

20-21 He said, “It’s one of the Twelve, one who eats with me out of the same bowl.

27-28 Jesus told them, “You’re all going to feel that your world is falling apart and that it’s my fault”.

29 Peter blurted out, “Even if everyone else is ashamed of you when things fall to pieces, I won’t be.”

30 Jesus said, “Don’t be so sure. Today, this very night in fact, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.”

31 He blustered in protest, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never deny you.” All the others said the same thing.

Activity: Write down some words that you think would describe what was going on in the room during this time.

And now, let’s move to the next part:

32-34 They came to an area called Gethsemane. Jesus told his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” He took Peter, James, and John with him. He sank into a pit of suffocating darkness. He told them, “I feel bad enough right now to die. Stay here and keep vigil with me.”

35-36 Going a little ahead, he fell to the ground and prayed for a way out: “My Father, you can—can’t you?—get me out of this. Take this cup away from me. But please, not what I want—what do you want?”

37-38 He came back and found them sound asleep. He said to Peter, “Simon, you went to sleep on me? Can’t you stick it out with me a single hour? Stay alert, be in prayer, so you don’t enter the danger zone without even knowing it. Don’t be naive. Part of you is eager, ready for anything in God; but another part is as lazy as an old dog sleeping by the fire.”

39-40 He then went back and prayed the same prayer. Returning, he again found them sound asleep. They simply couldn’t keep their eyes open, and they didn’t have a plausible excuse.

41-42 He came back a third time and said, “Are you going to sleep all night? No—you’ve slept long enough. Time’s up. The Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of sinners. Get up. Let’s get going. My betrayer has arrived.”

How do you think Jesus was feeling at this time?

THINGS TO CONSIDER

Some people may be feeling pain in these days. Even though things are slowly improving with the pandemic, the longer-lasting mental effects can take their toll upon all of us.

Maybe you are feeling like this, and are wondering how to get through it?

There's a lot we can learn from how Jesus moved through his time of suffering. We can learn to follow his example:

• Allow yourself to feel it  -  In other words, It is important that we acknowledge what we are going through and allow ourselves to feel any feelings that may arise. Even those that are hard. Being angry, sad, worried, frustrated, frightened, in grief... these feelings are all important. We saw Jesus experience all of these and so we must allow ourselves to feel these also. No feelings are bad or sinful. They are all part of what it is to be human.

• Tell God about it  -  In verse 27, Jesus says to his friends, ‘You are all going to feel that your world is falling apart and that it’s my fault’ (v27). There is no shame or guilt attached to this statement but an invitation to share your pain with him. You may blame God, you may feel like your world is falling apart and you may be having some really complex feelings. You can tell God all of this.

• Share with friends  -  Jesus gives us the perfect example of how to live in community. He had a group of friends he deeply trusted (even though he knew that one would betray him) and he shares in all of life with them. In the upper room he demonstrates the ultimate of sharing in the breaking of the bread (a symbol of his body) and sipping of wine (a symbol of his blood). And it is the same for us. There is always someone you can talk to about what you are going through and it is really important that you don’t suffer alone.

Remember Jesus knew all about suffering, let's always tell him how we feel.