Monday, March 20th Not My

Will

And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.

Luke 22:44

Read Mark 14:26-36

Many paintings depict the Lord Jesus praying in the Garden of Gethsemane. They typically portray the Savior kneeling serenely alongside a rock with a glow of light streaming onto His upturned angelic face. Unfortunately, this picture couldn’t be further from the truth.

The actual Biblical account of the Garden prayer describes a picture of agony and pain. In the hour before His arrest, the Son of Man wrestled prostrate on the ground with His own emotions, as He faced the task He was called to do.

His battle lay between human fear and human will. He wanted to avoid the horror of the cross and yet He desired to submit to the Father. “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me ...” (Luke 22:42a). Anyone who has ever faced temptation or tragedy has felt a similar struggle, but this time the whole world hung in the balance. Either Jesus would die for the sin of mankind, or every person of every generation would be sentenced to eternal damnation.

With sweat and blood, the Messiah wrestled in prayer. This was not a portrait of serenity and calm but a prayer vigil of trauma and struggle. Betrayal, desertion, and crucifixion were only moments away. An answer was needed. A decision had to be made. The final resolve came when He proclaimed, “... yet not my will but thine be done.” (Luke 22:42b).

Something to think about

1. What can we learn from Jesus about handling stress?

2. How often do you wrestle in prayer over the issues of life?

3. Where do you need to surrender your will to the Father’s?