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- Oct 26, 2007
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And He was withdrawn from them about a stone's throw, and He knelt down and prayed, saying, "Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done." Luke 22:41-42
Jesus was within hours of His death on the cross. This was God’s plan from the beginning. Relationship with mankind would be restored and Jesus would defeat death, but in His human body there waged a war between the desire to live and the desire to honor His Father.
It can be a surprise to read that Jesus asked God for a second option. He prayed passionately. If Jesus’ prayer ended with only a request for a way out we might leave confused, but Jesus ended His prayer with what has become the best response of all mankind: “Not my will, but Yours be done.”
No wonder we’re told that Jesus understands humanity (Hebrews 4:15). If God had granted Jesus’ request, salvation either wouldn’t be available or God would have needed a new plan to rescue mankind. But Jesus believed in the rescue plan. He was at a critical point. Jesus chose to follow His Father’s plan…and mankind was offered rescue.
You may not always see the wisdom of God’s will. It may seem an unnecessary hardship, a burden too big to bear, or something that no longer applies. As hard as it may seem to follow God’s will, it’s always been perfect.
Jesus was within hours of His death on the cross. This was God’s plan from the beginning. Relationship with mankind would be restored and Jesus would defeat death, but in His human body there waged a war between the desire to live and the desire to honor His Father.
It can be a surprise to read that Jesus asked God for a second option. He prayed passionately. If Jesus’ prayer ended with only a request for a way out we might leave confused, but Jesus ended His prayer with what has become the best response of all mankind: “Not my will, but Yours be done.”
No wonder we’re told that Jesus understands humanity (Hebrews 4:15). If God had granted Jesus’ request, salvation either wouldn’t be available or God would have needed a new plan to rescue mankind. But Jesus believed in the rescue plan. He was at a critical point. Jesus chose to follow His Father’s plan…and mankind was offered rescue.
You may not always see the wisdom of God’s will. It may seem an unnecessary hardship, a burden too big to bear, or something that no longer applies. As hard as it may seem to follow God’s will, it’s always been perfect.
