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Commentary on "Hope Against Depression"
Day 7: Friday, February 11, 2011 - Further Study
Overview
This week's lesson concludes with a reference to the struggle Jesus had in Gethsemane, and a quote from Desire of Ages describing the depressive state of Jesus.
“As He neared Gethsemane, He became strangely silent. He had often visited this spot for meditation and prayer; but never with a heart so full of sorrow as upon this night of His last agony. Throughout His life on earth He had walked in the light of God’s presence. When in conflict with men who were inspired by the very spirit of Satan, He could say, ‘He that sent Me is with Me: the Father hath not left Me alone; for I do always those things that please Him.’ John 8:29. But now He seemed to be shut out from the light of God’s sustaining presence. Now He was numbered with the transgressors. The guilt of fallen humanity He must bear. Upon Him who knew no sin must be laid the iniquity of us all. So dreadful does sin appear to Him, so great is the weight of guilt which He must bear, that He is tempted to fear it will shut Him out forever from His Father’s love. Feeling how terrible is the wrath of God against transgression, He exclaims, ‘My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death.’ ”—Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 685.
Problems
The quote given above embellishes the account given in Matthew 26:36-43 by adding to Scripture, and succeeds in painting a picture of a Jesus that is very weak and unsure.
She says, "So dreadful does sin appear to Him, so great is the weight of guilt which He must bear, that He is tempted to fear it will shut Him out forever from His Father’s love."
Jesus is greater than evil and greater than sin. Sin has no power over Him. Jesus had no concern that the weight of sin would be too much, because He knew that He was greater than the powers of evil. This is not to say that Jesus did not struggle or grieve. His heart was saddened and heavy, but not because of fear that sin could potentially separate Him from His Father forever. Not once does Scripture indicate that Jesus doubted the Father, or denied the Father’s goodness. Jesus was fully aware of his impending death and separation from God the Father and spoke of it prior to his prayer at Gethsemane (Matthew 16:21; 17:23; 20:19).
Further Thoughts
The story of Jesus in Gethsemane can serve as a great model for those who currently struggle with depression.
Jesus did not isolate himself
Jesus openly revealed His sadness to His most trusted friends, and longed to have His closest friends surround Him during His struggle. Many people who struggle with depression have imprisoned themselves by treating their depression as a deep, dark secret that cannot be talked about with others.
Jesus was honest and real
Jesus avoided the trap of saying to himself, I am the Son of God, and therefore, I cannot let anyone know the trial I am going through. He did not pretend to be happy when He was not. He verbalized what He was experiencing.
Jesus prayed
Jesus did not try to handle His problems without the Father’s presence, comfort, and help. In the privacy of Gethsemane’s garden, He poured out His heart to His Father. He exampled for us the power of accepting the things either we cannot or should not change when He said, “Thy will be done” (Matthew 26:42). Often, with prayer, it is not about getting God to do as we ask, but rather getting our will aligned with His so that when the most brutal moments of life envelop us, we can take the Father’s hand to lead us through, and not around, our valleys of darkness.
Summary
- Jesus did not fear He would be eternally separated from His Father.
- Jesus' example in the Garden of Gethsemane serves as a great model to us when we struggle with depression.
a) He did not isolate Himself
b) He was honest and real
c) He prayed when He was overcome with grief - God is there with us in our darkest moments.
Copyright 2011 BibleStudiesForAdventists.com. All rights reserved. Revised January 18, 2011. This website is published by Life Assurance Ministries, Glendale, Arizona, USA, the publisher of Proclamation! Magazine. Contact email: BibleStudiesForAdventists@gmail.com.
The Sabbath School Bible Study Guide and the corresponding E.G. White Notes are published by Pacific Press Publishing Association, which is owned and operated by the Seventh-day Adventist church. The current quarter's editions are pictured above.
Official Adventist Resources
Standard Edition Study Guide Week 7
Teacher's Edition Study Guide Week 7
