A young boy stands amidst thousands of hungry people . We don’t know anything about him except he has five loaves of bread and two fish. He gives what he has to Jesus.

I invite you to look up and see the masses of hungry faces who have never had the opportunity to hear the gospel. Twenty percent of the world’s population is caught in the grip of Islam. Another fifteen percent are under the shadow of Hinduism.

“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me...” I have often thought that if you read the whole Bible as one long story then this would be the climax. Jesus is suddenly gripped by doubt and apprehension. All creation holds its breath, “...yet not my will, but yours be done.”  Creation relaxes. The battle has been won. Humanity has been saved.

Yes, the agonies of the next day are yet to play out, but they are only the physical aspects of the cross. The real battle was won the night before, in the Garden of Gethsemane.