Midweek Devotion 13 November 2024

Reading

Matthew 26:36-39

Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I go over there and pray.” And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled.  Then he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch[a] with me.” And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” 

Devotion

"Atonement" – CreekRoad Studios

Today's painting is by artist Robert L. Marshall, former chair of the art department at Brigham Young University.  "Atonement" is a study painting, a painting created to think about a scene for another painting.  That painting is "Gethsemane" portrays Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane.  Though it is quite a striking painting, I like this one better.

I like this painting because it's easy to pray with, to project my own self into the story into those Gethsemane moments.  Often such moments are lonely as one beholds the shadows and lights with the sense of being lost in the forest.  The wall, perhaps of the wine press, may represent a challenge that has to be overcome.  The backlit glow may symbolize that the wall is between me and God, and that to get to the Light, I have overcome some barrier.  I appreciate the setting of nature and that the whole of the painting puts me in a liminal sort of space, a threshold arena.  A place where atonement is possible.

"Atonement" is a complicated word in theological terms.  I tend to hang out with Gustaf Aulen and his book "Christus Victor" which includes the line "The work of Christ is first and foremost a victory over the powers which hold mankind in bondage: sin, death, and the devil."  There is great resonance in my spirit for going into Gethsemane places and praying for release from things holding me in bondage.  I wonder if you, dear reader, are experiencing the suffocating tightness of some sort of bondage?  I think, perhaps step one in being released is to find your Gethsemane place, gather some close friends, and pray, pray, pray for God's will to be done in your life.  And then: Watch out!!!  It may be painful at first learning to walk again after the chains fall away...but the Light is waiting!

Prayer 

Almighty and eternal God, so draw our hearts to thee, so

guide our minds, so fill our imaginations, so control our

wills, that we may be wholly thine, utterly dedicated unto

thee; and then use us, we pray thee, as thou wilt, and always

to thy glory and the welfare of thy people; through our Lord

and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. (BCP p. 832)