What God Did Through Me in Nine Years Is More than Pastors Have Done in Over Fifty

By Shirley Martin

God is talking to a sinful nation that doesn't know how close to the edge it is. It clearly states in the book of Matthew that wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction and many there be which go in. But straight is the gate and narrow is the way which leads to life and few will find it. He said one God, one faith, and one

• Language: English
• Publisher: Palmetto Publishing
• Release date: Dec 15, 2020
• ISBN: 9781641113694

Book preview

Jesus’ Suffering

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can’t even imagine going to a place Jesus had frequented before, but this time with a different agenda. This time was the most distressing, apprehensive, agonizing time imaginable.

He took three disciples he knew could not stay awake to watch and pray with him. He said, My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death (Matthew 26:38, NIV). Prior to going to the garden, his disciples were discussing who was the greatest. Jesus told them Satan had demanded permission to sift them, and he (Jesus) had prayed especially for Peter, that his confidence in him would not fail, and once he turned back, he would strengthen and support his brethren. Peter said he would go with him to prison and death. Jesus replied, Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times. Deny: refuse to recognize or acknowledge; to betray; to disappoint the hope or expectation; to be disloyal; to be unfaithful in guarding, or maintaining, or for feeling. But Jesus knew and had already forgiven him.

Jesus’ sweat became like drops of blood falling to the ground. He went away and earnestly prayed, asking if it was possible to have the cup taken away from him. He went away a second time and prayed if the cup could not be taken away, he would drink it according to the will of the Father. He returned for the third time and found them still sleeping and said the hour of his sacrifice was at hand, and the son of man was being betrayed into the hands of sinners whose ways and nature were to oppose God. Jesus was betrayed by sinners, into the hands of sinners, to save a sinful nation: mankind.

The people he had taught in the temple were among the crowd with swords and clubs, some of the same ones that would spit on and ridicule him by blindfolding him and saying, Prophesy who is hitting you. But the entire situation had taken place so the scriptures of the prophets would be fulfilled. All the disciples deserted him and fled.

Because God cannot tolerate sin, Jesus took upon himself the sin of the whole human race. God had to turn away. The cords and sorrow of death encompassed me and the terror of Sheol came upon me. I found distress and sorrow (Psalm 116:3–5, AMP). Many enemies like bulls have surrounded me. They open wide their mouth against me like a ravening and roaring lion. I am poured out like water and all my bones are out of joint. My heart is like wax; it's melted by anguish. For a pack of dogs have surrounded me. A gang of evildoers have encircled me (Psalm 22:13–14, 16, AMP).

Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself. Come down from the cross if you are the son of God. He saved others, they said. "But he cannot save himself. He trusts in God; let God rescue him now if he