A Story of Mobs, Snoring & Betrayal

A Cup of Tea with Carol
Written By Carol McLeod

It is holy week … the week that the Christian church recognizes to mourn the death of Jesus and to celebrate His resurrection!  It is a week of unbelievable betrayal, of loud hosanna’s, of good-bye meals and of desperate prayer.

This is a week that always sobers me and annually causes me to evaluate my faith.  During this week every year, I walk up Calvary’s mountain with Jesus and carry my cross beside Him.  I want Easter to force me to examine the woman that I am and the course that He has for me.

Oh … don’t worry about me.  I will celebrate on Sunday!  I will shout with the crowds in triumphant procession but for today…allow me to evaluate who I am and who I am becoming in the story of Christ.

Jesus took the three disciples with Him to the Garden of Gethsemane who had been with Him on the Mount of Transfiguration.

Peter, James and John were the three that Jesus fiercely desired to stand with Him in prayer.  These were the three, Peter, James and John, who were closest to Him. 

They had heard him laugh over the antics of children and had seen him cry at the tomb of Lazarus. 

They had celebrated miracles with this Man Who went about only doing good. 

They called Him their Teacher, their Friend and the Son of God.  They knew Who He was … make no mistake about that.

But this night, in the Garden of Gethsemane, while Jesus prayed ... Peter, James and John slept. 

While Jesus sweat great drops of blood ... the great triumverate snored.

While Jesus cried in agony ... the three friends, whom He trusted, slumbered. 

Peter, James and John knew that Jesus was about to die the violent death of a criminal and yet they dozed and drooled.  Where were their hearts of compassion?  Were they faithful friends or forgetful acquaintances?

Three times Jesus came to the disciples ... and three times they were sleeping.  They couldn’t wipe the sand from their eyes and thus nodded into sweet dreams while Jesus fought in agony over His destiny. 

Jesus was about to be brutally murdered in order that Peter, James and John could live forever with Him.  And yet they couldn’t stay up past their bedtime for Jesus.  What kind of friendship is that?!

We become outraged at the seemingly careless actions of Peter, James and John and yet how often have I been caught giving into the twilight of lackadaisical behavior when Jesus calls my name?

"Carol … could you spend time with Me?”

I watch television when there are prayers to be prayed.

"Carol … could you read my Word to you?”

I read novels when there are people to be loved.

“Carol … would you worship Me?”

I snore while my culture crumbles.

Just as the Savior needed Peter, James and John ... your Savior needs you.  My Savior needs me.  He has entrusted us with the power of prayer.  He has entrusted us with the Great Commission.  He has entrusted us with the Gospel.

In this Garden, Jesus prayed, “ Not as I will ... but as You will.”

Have you ever tried praying that prayer when your life was crumbling?  Have you ever prayed, “Father, Your will be done”, when faced with cruel circumstances?

If we learn nothing else from this particular event in the life of Jesus, we should learn to pray while others sleep and to desire the will of the Father above all else.

When Jesus finally roused the three from their slumber, they had a view in the moonlight of a mob coming up the western slope of Mt. Olive. After the mob, led by Judas, seized Jesus, Peter stayed in the courtyard of the high priest.  It was there that Peter denied Jesus three times.

I wonder if Peter would have denied Jesus if he had prayed rather than slept.  I wonder how different my life would be if I would pray ... rather than sleep.

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Carol McLeod
Carol says, “I am just a girl who is head over heels in love with Jesus ... passionately addicted to His Word ... and find all of the joy that I need in time spent in His presence." Carol is a Christmas-aholic, loves ACC basketball and the beach! Like all menopausal women, she is overly fond of chocolate and enjoys a good read. She doesn't like cleaning her house and is an expert in carry-out dinners. She hates to shop … loves to jog … and somehow finds time in her busy life to hang out with small children. She is the kind of woman that you could laugh with over lunch, cry with over disappointment and shout with over a victory! But … if you need her official bio … read on! Carol is an author and popular speaker at women's conferences and retreats, where she teaches the Word of God with great joy and enthusiasm. She also hosts highly successful Just Joy! outreaches. Carol encourages and empowers women with passionate and practical biblical messages mixed with her own special brand of hope and humor. Carol has written three books, "Holy Estrogen!", "The Rooms of a Woman's Heart" and "Defiant Joy!" which was released by a subsidiary of Thomas Nelson. Her teaching DVD, "The Rooms of a Woman's Heart", won the Telly Award, a prestigious industry award, for excellence in religious programming. Carol has also been featured on YouVersion (the smart phone Bible app) with several devotionals, including: "For the Journey Set Before Him", "Jolt of Joy", and "Joy to YOUR world", " Carol has a daily radio program, "Defiant Joy! Radio" which is available in several national markets including Youngsville PA, Warren PA, Buffalo NY, Roanoke VA, Norfolk VA, and Nashville TN.  A 1977 graduate of Oral Roberts University with a degree in Music and English, Carol has the distinction of being both the first Women's Chaplain and the first woman to speak at the university's Vespers.  Carol currently serves on the ORU Alumni Board as chaplain.  She is married to her college sweetheart and love of her life, Craig, who serves as senior pastor of Life Church, a church near Buffalo, NY.  Craig and Carol have been happily married for nearly 37 years and are the parents of five children and three delightful daughters-in-law. Craig and Carol are thrilled with the joy of being grandparents to five precious grandchildren! Carol has written three books, "Holy Estrogen!", "The Rooms of a Woman's Heart" and "Defiant Joy!" which was released by a subsidiary of Thomas Nelson. Her teaching DVD, "The Rooms of a Woman's Heart", won the Telly Award, a prestigious industry award, for excellence in religious programming. Carol has also been featured on YouVersion (the smart phone Bible app) with several devotionals, including: "For the Journey Set Before Him", "Jolt of Joy", and "Joy to YOUR world", " Carol has a daily radio program, "Defiant Joy! Radio" which is available in several national markets including Youngsville PA, Warren PA, Buffalo NY, Roanoke VA, Norfolk VA, and Nashville TN.  A 1977 graduate of Oral Roberts University with a degree in Music and English, Carol has the distinction of being both the first Women's Chaplain and the first woman to speak at the university's Vespers.  Carol currently serves on the ORU Alumni Board as chaplain.  She is married to her college sweetheart and love of her life, Craig, who serves as senior pastor of Life Church, a church near Buffalo, NY.  Craig and Carol have been happily married for nearly 37 years and are the parents of five children and three delightful daughters-in-law. Craig and Carol are thrilled with the joy of being grandparents to five precious grandchildren!
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