The Garden of Gridiron

"The Garden of Gridiron"

February 5, 1996

Then Jesus came with them to a place called "The Backfield," and He said to His disciples, "Stay here while I go over to the sidelines and speak to the Father."

And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be grieved and distressed. Then He said to them, "Look at their defense! My soul is deeply grieved, to the point of death; remain here with Me and to see how they set up."

And He went a little beyond them, and fell on His face before the Father. Now an angel from heaven appeared to Him, strengthening Him. And being in agony He was praying very fervently; and His sweat became like drops of blood.

And He spoke, saying, "Coach, if it is possible, let me do an end run; yet not as I will, but as Thou wilt."

And the Father replied, "Go long."

And when He rose from prayer, He came to the disciples and found them sleeping from sorrow, and He said to Peter, "So, you men could not watch their defense with Me for thirty seconds?

"Keep watching and praying, that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak."

He went away again a second time and spoke, saying, "Coach, I can't pass, let's do a draw play; yet not as I will, but Thy will be done."

But the Coach replied, "Go long."

And again He came and found the disciples sleeping, for their eyes were heavy.

And He left them again, and went away to the Father and petitioned Him a third time, saying, "How about a quarterback sneak?"

And behold, a voice out of the heavens, shouted, "GO LONG!"

Then He came to the disciples, and said to them, "Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? Behold, the time is at hand for the Son of Man to be rushed by the hands of the opposition.

"Arise, let us be going; behold, the ones who will blitz Me are at hand!"

Adaped from Mt 26:36-46