March 21, 2023

Matthew 26:36-46 (HCSB)
36 Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and He told the disciples, "Sit here while I go over there and pray." 37 Taking along Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, He began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed. 38 Then He said to them, "My soul is swallowed up in sorrow -to the point of death. Remain here and stay awake with Me." 39 Going a little farther, He fell facedown and prayed, "My Father! If it is possible, let this cup pass from Me. Yet not as I will, but as You will." 40 Then He came to the disciples and found them sleeping. He asked Peter, "So, couldn't you stay awake with Me one hour? 41 Stay awake and pray, so that you won't enter into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak." 42 Again, a second time, He went away and prayed, "My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, Your will be done." 43 And He came again and found them sleeping, because they could not keep their eyes open. 44 After leaving them, He went away again and prayed a third time, saying the same thing once more. 45 Then He came to the disciples and said to them, "Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the time is near. The Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46 Get up; let's go! See-My betrayer is near."

Abby Joiner
No matter how many times I read this part of Jesus’ journey to the cross, verse 39 always sticks out to me. “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup pass from Me. Yet not as I will, but as You will.” I am so quick to cry out to God and ask him to remove trials and difficulties the moment they surface, but I find that I am less inclined to ask that His will be supreme over my circumstances. I often cling to comfort, but then the Lord reminds me that the trials and discomfort I experience are where sanctification takes place. And even more, He reminds me that there is comfort found in His will and peace that surpasses understanding. Those blessings should allow me to have the same mind and heart as Christ saying, “not as I will, but as You will".

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