June 23, 2010
Central Truth
Even though Jesus was grieved about His upcoming torture and death, He was still willing to pursue His Father's will above His own. Because of His relationship, love, and respect for His Father, Jesus was not just willing to submit to the Father's will. He WANTED it.
"Abba, Father," he cried out, "everything is possible for you. Please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine." (Mark 14:36, NLT)
26 And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. 27 And Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away, for it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.’ 28 But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.” 29 Peter said to him, “Even though they all fall away, I will not.” 30 And Jesus said to him, “Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.” 31 But he said emphatically, “If I must die with you, I will not deny you.” And they all said the same.
32 And they went to a place called Gethsemane. And he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” 33 And he took with him Peter and James and John, and began to be greatly distressed and troubled. 34 And he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death. Remain here and watch.” 1 14:34 Or keep awake; also verses 37, 38 35 And going a little farther, he fell on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. 36 And he said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” 37 And he came and found them sleeping, and he said to Peter, “Simon, are you asleep? Could you not watch one hour? 38 Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 39 And again he went away and prayed, saying the same words. 40 And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were very heavy, and they did not know what to answer him. 41 And he came the third time and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? It is enough; the hour has come. The Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 42 Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand.”
43 And immediately, while he was still speaking, Judas came, one of the twelve, and with him a crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders. 44 Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “The one I will kiss is the man. Seize him and lead him away under guard.” 45 And when he came, he went up to him at once and said, “Rabbi!” And he kissed him. 46 And they laid hands on him and seized him. 47 But one of those who stood by drew his sword and struck the servant 2 14:47 Or bondservant of the high priest and cut off his ear. 48 And Jesus said to them, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs to capture me? 49 Day after day I was with you in the temple teaching, and you did not seize me. But let the Scriptures be fulfilled.” 50 And they all left him and fled.
51 And a young man followed him, with nothing but a linen cloth about his body. And they seized him, 52 but he left the linen cloth and ran away naked.
What does it look like to WANT God's will over your own? In verse 36 we see Jesus pleading with the Father to change what's about to happen. He knows that all things are possible with God, and if He chose to do so, He could change everything that was about to happen to Jesus and create a new plan.
How many times have you ever pleaded with God for something when you genuinely thought you had a superior plan that would work out more perfectly than anything God could come up with?
When I was in high school and college, my perfectly laid out plan was to be married by the age of 23, have my first child by 25, second child by 27, and third child by 29, so that I would have my cute little "complete" family by the time I was 30. Well, I turn 30 in about five weeks without a husband or children. I know now that had everything gone according to my "perfect" plan, I'd more than likely be in a marriage that wouldn't glorify God the way He intends marriage to, and I would have sought my identity in motherhood.
Ultimately, I know God's will is better than mine, even though I don't always understand or agree with it. He sees the bigger picture even when I cannot, and He has plans to prosper me and not to harm me (Jeremiah 29:11). I was part of God's plan almost 2,000 years ago when Jesus prayed this prayer in Gethsemane, and I still am today. The question is do I WANT His best for me, or do I only want what I THINK is best for me right now.
It's okay to ask God for things we want or desire. Jesus was asking to avoid the suffering before Him, but He also knew that His impending suffering and death would ultimately bring the Father more glory, so He chose God's will over His own desires. Here's a question we need to ask ourselves: "Is what I am asking for going to bring God more glory?"
1. Do you truly believe that EVERYTHING is possible for God? Why or why not?
2. Can you honestly say you want God's will over your own . . . even if it doesn't remotely look like the plans you had for yourself?
3. Why are you still clinging to your own plans and desires instead of God's?
FAMILY DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. What do you do when you feel overwhelmed and stressed?
2. Who did Jesus take with Him in His hour of distress? What did He ask them to do?
3. Who are the people in your life that you can go to when you are in hard situations?