The story of Jesus

When I think of the story of Easter it is not so warm and fuzzy as the Christmas story.
Where Mary labored during the journey to Bethlehem, with Joseph walking the donkey beside her thinking long and hard about the new life they would be making together.
Where the angels helped bring the story to life telling each player about hope to come.
The Christmas story had so many key people involved, each were critical to the prophecy of the story.
A baby would be born, his mother would be Mary and He would save his people from their sins.
It was all pre-ordained since the beginning of time, from the Old Testament to the New.
God planned it and it had to happen exactly the way it happened.
The Easter story is not too much different.
It is filled with a mixture of joyous jubilee, on Psalm Sunday and then quickly turned into a brutal ‘murderous death’ and Crucifixion.
It is also about relationships.
If you follow the life of Jesus, he met with and knew many people and loved deeply.
It was all a part of the whole picture. The story of Jesus.
So many people were involved in the scenes that created the Easter story, just like the Christmas story.
God involved people, just like you and me.
He could have done it differently but he didn’t make that choice.
It was purposeful and powerful to finish the story in this dramatic way, so we would understand as much as we can and believe deep within our hearts his love for us.
As we read in the word about the events leading up to the day of Crucifixion, we read that Jesus was deeply moved and emotionally torn, just as any of us would be feeling when death is near.
In the garden we find him withdrawing and prayerful.
He had been preparing them for the last few days that death was pending for him, and even though he was God in the spiritual sense, he was also man on the personal level.
No one wanted to be crucified. It was torturous and brutal.
It was humiliating and horrible. It was terrifying and painful.
In Luke chapter 22:39 the word tells us Jesus struggled in vs 41:
He walked away about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, 
“Father, if you are willing, please take this cup from me. 
Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.”
Then an angel from heaven appeared and strengthened him. He prayed more fervently, and he was in such agony of spirit that his sweat fell to the ground like great drops of blood. 
At last he stood up again and returned to the disciples, only to find them asleep, exhausted from grief.
He said to them, “Why are you sleeping? get up and pray so you will not give in to temptation.”
The journey to follow was his journey.
He knew it would be hard and he also knew it must happen.
He also knew at a time of great stress some would walk away from him.
I often wonder how he stayed so strong and firm, but I also know it was the power within him being restrained. The reason for his birth was in full preparation for his death.
It was all in the master plan.
I often wonder what the disciples thought about as they remembered the scenes and the memories shared with him. Just as we do the same when we lose someone we love, we often look back and remember the fond moments we spent with them.
Remembering the conversations shared.
The tender moments of friendship and memories treasured.
Do you suppose they remembered Jesus in that way?
I think they had a combination of fond memories and deep regret.
He told them over and over he would be leaving them soon.
And they never really got it.