Are you one of these people who can truthfully state, “I witnessed the ‘such-in-such’, never to be forgotten moment that is forever etched in history?  For example you may have witnessed in 1986 the American space shuttle, Challenger, exploding and killing all seven astronauts on board. Or been in New York and witnessed the 9/11 terrorist attack killing over 3,000, or, the 7/7 London terrorist bombings killing 52 commuters. Or the recent Mumbai attack killing over 200 people. Witnessing such an event can never be erased from ones memory bank.

 The momentous event I would like you to focus on occured 2,000 years ago. However, to those with the smallest amount of Biblical knowledge you will soon related to the scene I am about to describe.

 In your minds eye, go with me for a moment to witness what was perhaps the foggiest night in history. The scene is very simple; you should recognize it quickly. A grove of twisted olive trees. Ground cluttered with large rocks. A low stone fence. A dark, dark night.

Now, look into the picture. Look closely through the shadowy foliage. See that person? See that solitary figure? What's he doing?  He’s flat on the ground. His face is stained with dirt and tears. His fists are pounding the hard earth. His eyes are wide displaying a look of fear. His hair is matted with salty sweat, and there’s blood on his forehead?

Yes, you guessed correctly, it’s Jesus. Jesus, in the Garden of Gethsemane.

Maybe you've actually seen the classic portrait of Christ in the garden. Kneeling beside a big rock.  Snow-white robe. Hands peacefully folded in prayer. A look of serenity on his face. Halo over his head. A spotlight from heaven illuminating his golden-brown hair.

Now, I'm no artist, but I can guarantee one thing. The man who painted that picture did not use the gospel of Mark (14:32-42) as his point of reference. When Mark wrote about that painful night, he used phrases like these:

 "Horror and dismay came over him."  (verse 33)

           "My heart is ready to break with grief." (verse 34)

         "He went a little forward and threw himself on the ground." (verse 35)

 Does this look like the picture of a meek and mild, saintly Jesus resting in the palm of the hand of God?   No Way!  

Mark used black paint to describe this scene. We see an agonizing, straining, and struggling Jesus. We see a "man of sorrows." (Isaiah 53:3) We see a man struggling with fear, wrestling with commitments, and yearning for relief.

We see Jesus in the fog of a broken heart.

The writer of the New Testament book of Hebrews would later pen, "During the days of Jesus' life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death." (Hebrews 5:7)

 My, what a portrait! Jesus is in pain. Jesus is on the stage of fear. Jesus is cloaked, not in sainthood, but in humanity.

The next time the fog of pain, despair or loneliness finds you, you might do well to remember Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane.

 The next time you think that no one understands, re-read the fourteenth chapter of Mark.

 The next time your self-pity convinces you that no one cares, pay a visit to Gethsemane.

 The next time you question if God really understands the pain that tortures His creation on this complex planet, listen to him pleading among the twisted olive trees in the Garden.

The next time you are called to suffer, pay attention. It may be the closest you'll ever get to God. Watch closely. It could very well be that the hand that extends itself to lead you out of the fog is a hand pierced by the nails of Calvary.