God's Will

Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.”  He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled.  Then he said to them, “My soul is over whelmed with sorrow to the point of death.  Stay here and keep watch with me.”  Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me.  Yet not as I will, but as you will.”  Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping.  Could you men not keep watch for me for one hour?” he asked Peter.  “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.  The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”  He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.”  When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy.  So he left them and went away once more and prayed for a third time, saying the same thing.  Then he returned to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting?  Look, the hour is near, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.  Rise, let us go!  Here comes my betrayer!”
              
Devotion
Have you ever heard these words from your parents:  “This is going to hurt me more than you.”?  Or: “You don’t realize this now but, one of these days you will thank me for this.”  As parents, we will do virtually anything to keep our children out of harm’s way.  But many times, a tough lesson is what is best in the long run.

Jesus was very distraught in anticipation of what was about to happen to him with the betrayal, torture and crucifixion on the cross.  He was praying to God to the point of physical and emotional exhaustion.  Can you imagine knowing how you are going to die and knowing the brutality of how it is going to happen? 

Preceding this, Jesus had just celebrated Passover with the disciples.  He spelled out everything that was about to happen to him.  His closest peers, who had been with him the most, and seen first-hand many of the miracles and works he had done, were about to turn him over to the high priests.

The disciples were oblivious of what was about to happen to Jesus.  Even after being told, they slept during one of his greatest times of need.  Many times I feel like those disciples.  I too have let so many people and loved ones down when they have needed me the most.  Many people have let me down too, when I have needed them.  It is human nature.  What a wonderful example Jesus was to us with his life on earth.  He is right here for us.  All we have to do is accept him in our hearts, live for him and be saved for eternity. 

God and Jesus knew what the consequences of the crucifixion and resurrection were to them and ultimately to us.  What a glorious God we have that would allow his will be done for us no matter the cost it was for his son Jesus!

Prayer
Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your son Jesus.  May we be filled with the Holy Spirit, accept you into our hearts, love and serve others, and spread the good news.  In your name we pray.  Amen.