March 15: Wilderness Challenge / Jesus Had a Panic Attack!

Mark 14:27-53

Amplified Bible (AMP)

27 And Jesus said to them, You will all fall away this night [that is, you will be caused to stumble and will begin to distrust and desert Me], for it stands written, I will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.

28 But after I am raised [to life], I will go before you into Galilee.

29 But Peter said to Him, Even if they all fall away and are caused to stumble and distrust and desert You, yet I will not [do so]!

30 And Jesus said to him, Truly I tell you, this very night, before a cock crows twice, you will utterly deny Me [disclaiming all connection with Me] three times.

31 But [Peter] said more vehemently and repeatedly, [Even] if it should be necessary for me to die with You, I will not deny or disown You! And they all kept saying the same thing.

32 Then they went to a place called Gethsemane, and He said to His disciples, Sit down here while I pray.

33 And He took with Him Peter and James and John, and began to be struck with terror and amazement and deeply troubled and depressed.

34 And He said to them, My soul is exceedingly sad (overwhelmed with grief) so that it almost kills Me! Remain here and keep awake and be watching.

35 And going a little farther, He fell on the ground and kept praying that if it were possible the [fatal] hour might pass from Him.

36 And He was saying, Abba, [which means] Father, everything is possible for You. Take away this cup from Me; yet not what I will, but what You [will].

37 And He came back and found them sleeping, and He said to Peter, Simon, are you asleep? Have you not the strength to keep awake and watch [with Me for] one hour?

38 Keep awake and watch and pray [constantly], that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

39 He went away again and prayed, saying the same words.

40 And again He came back and found them sleeping, for their eyes were very heavy; and they did not know what answer to give Him.

41 And He came back a third time and said to them, Are you still sleeping and resting? It is enough [of that]! The hour has come. The Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinful men (men whose way or nature is to act in opposition to God).

42 Get up, let us be going! See, My betrayer is at hand!

43 And at once, while He was still speaking, Judas came, one of the Twelve [apostles], and with him a crowd of men with swords and clubs, [who came] from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders [of the Sanhedrin].

44 Now the betrayer had given them a signal, saying, The One I shall kiss is [the Man]; seize Him and lead [Him] away safely [so as to prevent His escape].

45 And when he came, he went up to Jesus immediately and said, Master! Master! and he embraced Him and kissed Him fervently.

46 And they threw their hands on Him and arrested Him.

47 But one of the bystanders drew his sword and struck the bond servant of the high priest and cut off his ear.

48 And Jesus said to them, Have you come out with swords and clubs as [you would] against a robber to capture Me?

49 I was with you daily in the temple [porches and courts] teaching, and you did not seize Me; but [this has happened] that the Scriptures might be fulfilled.

50 Then [His disciples], forsaking Him, fled, all [of them].

51 And a young man was following Him, with nothing but a linen cloth (sheet) thrown about [his] naked [body]; and they laid hold of him,

52 But, leaving behind the linen cloth (sheet), he fled from them naked.

53 And they led Jesus away to the high priest, and all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes were gathered together.

Panic Attack

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Panic attacks are periods of intense fear or apprehension that are of sudden onset and of variable duration from minutes to hours. Panic attacks usually begin abruptly, may reach a peak within 10 to 20 minutes, but may continue for hours in some cases. Panic attacks usually subside on their own over the next several hours. Often, those afflicted will experience significant anticipatory anxiety and limited symptom attacks in between attacks, in situations where attacks have previously occurred. The effects of a panic attack vary. Some, notably first-time sufferers, may call for emergency services. Many who experience a panic attack, mostly for the first time, fear they are having a heart attack or anervous breakdown. Common psychological themes associated with panic attacks include the fears of impending death or loss of sanity; depersonalisation is relatively common.

Panic attacks are of acute onset, although acute debilitation (generally severe) may be followed by a period of residually impaired psychological functioning. Experiencing a panic attack has been said to be one of the most intensely frightening, upsetting, and uncomfortable experiences of a person's life and may take days to initially recover from. Repeated panic attacks are considered a symptom of panic disorder. Screening tools such as the Panic Disorder Severity Scale can be used to detect possible cases of disorder, and suggest the need for a formal diagnostic assessment.

Jesus knows all about panic attacks. He had at least one that we know of! He knew what he was about to go through. He had known all of His life! He came to die. And now it was time. Time for Him to endure the horrors of being tortured beyond recognition.

Isaiah 52:14

Amplified Bible (AMP)

14 [For many the Servant of God became an object of horror; many were astonished at Him.] His face and His whole appearance were marred more than any man’s, and His form beyond that of the sons of men—but just as many were astonished at Him,

Sometimes its easier NOT to know the future. There have been many times in my own life I would have gone the opposite direction, had I known what was ahead. Jesus KNEW he was going to be beaten to a bloody pulp and nailed to a cross to slowly die in front of crowds of jeering gawkers. He had every reason to have a panic attack! He knows! He understands! Cling to Him during your darkest, blackest night. He knows. And He loves You deeper and wider than you could ever comprehend. His love never quits! His love never gives up!

"Jesus, thank You for taking even panic attacks on Yourself, in order to fully understand them. You know, first hand, what millions of folks deal with every day! You can heal and deliver with one touch of Your hand! All the money spent on medications to numb our feelings so we can make it through one more day is completely wasted. All we have to do is reach up to You. And grab ahold of Your nail scarred Hand. You want to lead us out of our panic attacks, anxiety, and depression! Six years ago, You took me by the hand and led me out. I am forever grateful to You, my Dear Jesus! How I Love You! How I adore You! AMEN."