Mark 14:32-36 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.”
As Jesus Christ the Lord was when He was here with us, so are we but flesh. There are times in our lives when the stress of living can be so immense we fall to our knees and say as Jesus did: "I am overwhelmed; let this hour pass from me; change my circumstances." Often we hear of others having to go through serious difficulties and trials. As Christians, we earnestly pray for an escape in their hour of need, for quick restoration to a more peaceful and secure time. We pray for healing, release, success, and other good things to benefit them. We beseech God fervently and even desperately when we learn a loved one or close friend has been attacked by an incurable disease or a permanent disability. We pray for deliverance, knowing these afflictions that have come upon others would be almost impossible for us to endure. Right now, we know of Christians in other lands who are facing death at the hands of wicked and perverse people controlled by demons from the pit of hell. We pray, "Take this cup from those who suffer, deliver them." But too often, we see the consequences of evil seemingly win the day. We know, as stated in Hebrews, the world was not worthy of them, such soldiers in the Lord, willing to give all for him. (Hebrews 11:8) When we view the world and its turmoil, we often inadvertently or subconsciously expect others to face such problems, but not us. We will be delivered: our prayers will be answered as we desire. But we see in the above scripture, the Holy One of God, the Bright and Morning Star, Beloved of God, had to face the burden of carrying all the sins of all those who ever lived to an evil, cruel cross. He did not have a way of escape. He experienced sorrow but stayed the course.
In today's passage, we see Jesus facing an immediate future of pain, humiliation, and death. We see a perfect Lamb, holy, unmarred by the world; an innocent lamb, led to the slaughter. A lamb knows not what is in store for him, yet Jesus knew that the gates of Hell would be opened to torment him. He knew the devil would glory in his slaughter. Therefore, Jesus said, Take this cup from me. Yes, Jesus was the Son of God, but He had given his authority over to God the Father. Yet not what I will, but what you will, Jesus said in total commitment. Jesus' will in these final moments, even though He had walked toward the cross all his life, was to avoid this awful task, this terrible experience, this horrific death. But He said, not my will for my life, your will, oh God. He prayed just as He had taught his disciples to pray. Nothing had changed in the heart of the Son of God. He still said: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. (Matthew 6:9-10) At some time or the other, we all have to say as Jesus said, "Not my will but your will, Father." We will place our lives in the Father's will, not ours, even though we do not want our present day experience, pain, or sorrow. Even though we desire to escape from the torment in and around us, we will place our faith and trust in our heavenly Father because of his great love for us. We will not retreat; we will face the circumstances in our lives, knowing God is trustworthy. We will praise the name of the Lord, regardless of our pain because we are saved and kept by his grace. As Paul wrote, But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions — it is by grace you have been saved. (Ephesians 2:4-5)
Because of Christ we walk by faith. Yet how can any of us face tribulation, pain, and even death? We can only do that with the help of the Holy Spirit. He is the great Comforter. Jesus said, Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. (John 16:7) He said the Spirit would come to abide in us. The Comforter remains by our side no matter what we experience to remind us of HOME, where there is no more sorrow, no more tears. He reminds us of Holiness, heaven, where God himself abides. He reminds us we are sons and daughters in the household of God. He reminds us that what we see, hear, and know by our senses is not real. What is real is the kingdom of God that lies in the heart of God where we abide. None of us want to face trouble. We would be mentally ill if we desired such experiences, but all of us will face trials that will test our resolve and spirit. All of us will wonder at some time, Where are you God? Where are you NOW, for I need you? But He is constantly, incessantly, saying, "Hold on my children. Your faith is more pure and precious than gold. Your hope in me pleases my heart beyond what you can imagine. That is why, I will not just call you my friends but sons and daughters. You touched my heart because of your faithfulness, your willingness to die even under the pressures of this life. You chose me above all things, all experiences, all deliverances. Your faithfulness will be rewarded, FOR I AM YOUR FATHER!" We know God loves us, for we read in the Word: Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! (Matthew 7:9-11) What is the gift inherent in Jesus Christ, available because of his death and resurrection? The gift is eternal life in the presence of our Abba Father. Consequently, we will say with the millions before us: Yet not what I will, but what you will. Today we join the endless throng and sing praise to God!
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