Atop Mt. Misery

“Sit here while I go over there and pray. . . . My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” Matthew 26:36,38
At this time of the year I’m reminded of a particular hill from my childhood. The hill was legendary in the minds of children and triggered visions of broken bones in the minds of parents. The city’s founding fathers hadn’t given the hill a name, but every child in town knew where you were going when you said, “I’m going sledding on Mt. Misery.”

From the top of snow-covered Mt. Misery one could see for miles. The steep grade and multiple moguls invited only the bravest of hearts. Few sleds made it to the bottom without spilling the passengers along the way. Some wooded toboggans even broke into pieces.

Our toboggan was long and as many as five friends would sit one behind the other, locking legs around the person in front of them. We wrapped our arms tightly around as well. We were in this together, and somehow that made us braver. Onlookers gathered around and smiled while one of them pushed us over the edge. Would we make it to the bottom or would we hit a mogul, become airborne, and upon impact fly in all directions like popping popcorn? To “survive” the descent would bring shouts of jubilation.

Jesus’ Mt. Misery

On the night of his betrayal Jesus climbed a familiar hill. From the top he could see forever—far into eternity. Across the valley he saw more than the nighttime campfires of Jerusalem. He saw his betrayer slinking through the shadows with a plan. He saw armed temple guards gathering with torches. He saw hissing demons, giddy with anticipation. Then in the darkness, emerging from the earth, he saw the ruler of darkness, strong and bold. Hell was breaking loose for the big event. The Prince of Life was about to experience the wages of sin in doing battle with the prince of hell.

The thought of descending this hill sent chills down his holy spine. Gethsemane was becoming Jesus’ Mt. Misery. “Stay here and keep watch with me.” Even for him, being in this together with friends helped somehow. And then he prayed and prayed and prayed.

We don’t know everything Jesus thought and saw that night, but we do know that he was shaken to his incarnate core. His earthly friends weren’t much help. A comforting member of the heavenly host would be his friend there.

Jesus’ other hill to climb
Author: James A. Mattek
Volume 95, Number 2
Issue: February 2008
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