As a father of four, there is nothing I wouldn’t do for my kids. As much as they are similar in their looks and last name, they are all unique and different in so many ways. And of course I like to take credit for their good qualities, and blame the areas that need improvement on my wife – as she in turn does the same thing. But kidding aside, we love our children and would sacrifice anything for them – no questions asked. It’s just what you do as a parent, and I’m sure any parent would say the same thing. But if you asked me if I would let one of my kids sacrifice and suffer for me, or anyone else, I would say no way! As a parent, that is my job.
I can’t even imagine the pain and agony God must have endured when he watched his one and only son, Jesus, suffer and die on the cross. But prior to the cross, Jesus went to a garden called Gethsemane. There, as He faced the horrors of what was to come on the cross, He prayed, “Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me.” What was that cup that Jesus was recoiling from? I believe it was the cup of God’s wrath, which He would drink for all of us. The judgment of God that should have come upon me instead came on Him. He then prayed, “Not My will, but Yours be done.”
We will all face our own challenges and struggles in life. Those times when life is not making any sense, when your problems seem too great to bear, when you are seemingly overwhelmed and when you feel like you just can’t go on another day. There is a point where we have to say something that is very important to God. And that is the same thing Jesus said: “Not my will, but Yours be done.” Much is said about the cross, but keep in mind, in the Garden of Gethsemane, we see the decision that took Him to the cross was agonizingly made – for us! ~ Excerpts taken from Personal Gethsemanes by Greg Laurie.
Matthew 26:38-42 – Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed 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. “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh 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.”
“Dear Lord, thank you for sending your son, Jesus, to make the ultimate sacrifice for us. Words cannot express the thankfulness and gratitude for an act such as this. Help us show that same sacrificial love and service to those around us each and every day. It’s in Jesus name I pray, Amen.”