Not My Will, But You Will, Jesus!

They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, "Sit here while I pray." He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death," he said to them. "Stay here and keep watch." Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. "Abba, Father," he said, "everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will." Mark 14:32-36 (NIV)

This passage (and its parallels in Matthew 26:39-42 & Luke 22:41-44), perhaps more so than any other passage in Scripture, verifies for me that Jesus is the one and only way to the Father. In His human nature Jesus is wanting a way out.is Human natureHiiH

He knows what awaits Him and He is not looking forward to it. Yet even in His desire for a way out, He desires even more our (yours and my) salvation, and if His suffering and death it the ONLY way—so be it! If there had been any other way for us to be saved, and to have the Father deny His Son’s request, would have made the Father to be most cruel of Father’s. But there was no other way. Jesus’ suffering, death, and yes, resurrection was/is the only way, thus Jesus willing, sacrificially submits to the Father’s will.

Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6 (NIV)

You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:6-8 (NIV)

God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:21 (NIV)

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross! Philippians 2:5-8 (NIV)

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2 (NIV)

Jesus, I thank You for Your love and sacrifice. I am so totally undeserving, but so eternally grateful. Work in me a similar love in my relationships with everyone I encounter.