THE SET UP
I love the insight we get from Jesus’ prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane before He was arrested. He knows that his crucifixion is coming. And even though He knows it is part of God’s plan to redeem the world, He also knows the suffering and pain it will involve. Torture, abuse, and wickedness that seem unbearable. So he says to His heavenly Father, “If there’s another way to do this, let’s do that. But I want Your will to be done not mine.” What a picture of Jesus’ humanity! What a picture of Jesus’ sacrifice for you and me. He was willing to put all His desires aside so He could accomplish God’s plan. It wasn’t easy. He prayed so hard His sweat came out like big drops of blood. Have you ever prayed so hard it made you sweat? All of this, we know, was done for us. All the pain. All the suffering. All the rejection. While we were still sinners and enemies of God, Jesus did this for us. That is an indescribable gift.
PASSAGE TO READ
Luke 22:39-46 (Page 633 in our house bibles)
REFLECTION QUESTIONS
When is the last time you thought, “I really, really do not want to do this”? Did you follow through or did you back away?
What do you think was going through the minds of the disciples as the watched and listened to Jesus pray?
When is the last time you stopped and really thought about what Jesus did for you and for the world on the cross?
PRAYER IDEA
Take time to reflect on Jesus’ last moments. Give Him thanks for being willing to do the will of God and not what was easy for Him.