Transitions - 1: A Walk in the Garden

“Pray that you will not be overcome by temptation.”

Luke 22:40

Change. What causes it? Something that disrupts the present state that results in evolution from the “status quo” to a “state of flux” is a catalyst for change, for instance, the spark that ignites the first flame. During a “state of flux”—when life is fluid, moving, and changing—a series of transitions occurs when people are in between their “status quo” life as usual present and their “never experienced before” future. These transitional events change the lives of the people that the catalyst affects. 

            Transition. What is its importance? Transition is necessary to get from one stage in life to another. Without transition, there would be no “passage from one state, stage, subject, or place to another.” ¹ Without transition, the shock of moving from one set of circumstances to another would be too overwhelming, and yet, to effect change, a shock or catalyst must be placed in the present state system.

            Let’s look at Jesus’ transition from His earthly sojourn to His ascension into heaven, where today, He lives, reigns, and sits at the right hand of God.² The scene takes place in the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus often met with His disciples.³ All were present except Judas, who, having had Satan enter him, left Jesus and the disciples at the Last Supper table and went to meet with the Jewish leaders to which he would betray Jesus.⁴ Jesus had often used the garden on the slope of the Mount of Olives as a place of solitude for prayer, avoiding the crowds of people continually following Him.⁵ So far, nothing unusual is happening; to the disciples, it’s a “status quo”—as usual—walk in the garden.

Then, accompanied by the disciples, Jesus left the upstairs room and went, as usual, to the Mount of Olives. There, he told them, “Pray that you will not be overcome by temptation.” ⁶

—Christ, the catalyst

Transitions - 1: “A Walk in the Garden” is stage 1 of a 6-part series

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Praise Our Father for the words He has given me.

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Copyright © 2004, 2005 Stellar Rhema Ministry

2016 by Jeff Cambridge

2024 bycambridge @ BrokenVav Media

References

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189.  All rights reserved. 

1.   Webster’s Dictionary, italics added

2.     Luke 22:69, Acts 1:3,9, 2:30-36, 7:55-56, Romans 8:34, Colossians 3:1, 

      Hebrews 1:3, 8:1, 10:12, 12:1-2, 1 Peter 3:22

3.     John 18:1-2

4.     John 13:2,27, 30, 18:3, Matthew 26:14-16

5.     Matthew 14:23, Luke 6:12, 9:28, 22:39-40, John 18:1-2

6.     Luke 22:39-40