LETTERS: WHEN IN SHADOW OF CROSS, PRAY

To the editor:

As Easter draws near, our thoughts focus on the cross and upon our risen Savior. It's a time to rejoice and sing the chorus, "He's alive." Nevertheless, prior to this holy week the storms of life will continue to rage. Many will be experiencing sorrow and deep distress. For them, the Easter message will seem like those faraway places from a long time ago. I call this living in the shadow of the cross.

The Lord Jesus, just prior to his betrayal and arrest, was in the shadow of the cross. We read in the gospel of Matthew 26:36-39:

Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to the disciples, "Sit here while I go and pray over there." And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and he began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed. Then he said to them, "My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with me. He went a little farther and fell on his face and prayed, saying, "O, my Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.

He said this prayer three time. Yes, Jesus was exceedingly sorrowful, even to death, thus feeling a need for strength and submission. Yet in his darkest hour, in the shadow of the cross, he showed us what to do in times like these. When in the shadow of the cross, he went to his Father and prayed for God's will to be done.

RON FARROW

Cape Girardeau