Bible Reading: Genesis 27; Esther 3; Matthew 26; Acts 26
Matthew 26:44 And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words.
After the Passover, Jesus and his disciples went to the Mount of Olives. They were divided into two groups. In one group were eight of the disciples. In the other group were Peter, James and John. He asked them to watch with him while he went and prayed.
Matthew 26:38 Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.
The Bible tells us that Jesus prayed three times and each time his prayer was the same. Have you ever been exceeding sorrowful? Have you ever needed someone to pray with you as you poured out your soul to the Lord? What was it that Jesus was praying about?
Matthew 26:39 And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.
Jesus was getting ready to begin the long journey through incredible suffering to the cross. Jesus is God and man. He knew what must be done and as God knew there was no other way. Yet, as a man, he despised the shame that was to come (Hebrews 12:2). He was about to taste death for every man (Hebrews 2:9). The sorrow was overwhelming and he prayed to the Father.
Hebrews 5:7-9 Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared; 8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; 9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him.
Jesus submitted to the will of the Father in prayer. Notice he made a request, "if it be possible, let this cup pass from me." He asked for this to pass. But he also prefaced it with these words, "Not as I will, but as thou wilt." Jesus wanted the Father's will above all else. In this he teaches us that in prayer we may ask for anything, but we also must submit completely to the will of God. In this we can know that God will enable us to do what he has called us to do. The passage in Hebrews says that he prayed to the one who was able to save him from death. And the Father did save him. He did not save him from the cross, but he resurrected him from the dead. Jesus did not go around the cross but through it.
Let us pray as Jesus prayed. Let us ask anything of God and let us submit to the will of the Father knowing that he will take us through the cross as well!
In Christ,
Rody
