Janet's six-year-old son...
Illustration
Object:
Janet's six-year-old son, Jason, had declared his independence and stated that from now on he was old enough to put himself to bed. Janet lingered close by, but out of sight, to be sure he was tucked in properly. As Janet stood in the hall outside Jason's room one night, she heard him murmuring what she soon realized were his prayers. He reviewed his day and requested some good events for the next day. When he even reeled off the names of those he wanted God to be sure to remember, Janet had to smile.
Their evening routine of many years and all those early Sunday mornings spent in Sunday school had paid off. But that touching moment was somewhat muted by her feeling that she was intruding on a most intimate conversation between her son and God. It was as if she were overhearing something she was not meant to share in. But what she overheard were some of the most poignant and reassuring words to come from her child's lips, and her heart filled with gratitude.
When we overhear the high priestly prayer of Jesus in the garden, we have a similar feeling. We are listening in on one of the most intimate moments recorded in scripture.
Their evening routine of many years and all those early Sunday mornings spent in Sunday school had paid off. But that touching moment was somewhat muted by her feeling that she was intruding on a most intimate conversation between her son and God. It was as if she were overhearing something she was not meant to share in. But what she overheard were some of the most poignant and reassuring words to come from her child's lips, and her heart filled with gratitude.
When we overhear the high priestly prayer of Jesus in the garden, we have a similar feeling. We are listening in on one of the most intimate moments recorded in scripture.
