Jesus’ Prayer
March 23, 2010
Matthew 26:39- 44
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 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 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 the third time, saying the same thing.
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Jesus knew that his death was all part of being the chosen Messiah and
his
agony grew deeper as the hour drew near. Even our Lord didn’t
desire or look forward to “walking through the fire” but he had to, just
as all of us will have to at some point/times in our life...not if we
will have to, but when. As I read this passage I can just feel how Jesus
wanted his friends to be there for him and help him through it. I see
how even Christ’s disciples grew weary as we all do, especially in times
of trials and adversity. But Jesus
looked past His hours of suffering and death, he looked forward to life!
He accepted God’s will and plan for his life just as we are called to
do. We must surrender our will and trust our life's work to him; he will
not forget us or ever leave us. When we obey and do his will, just
as Christ did, the victory is ours! |
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Dear Lord, I thank you for the blood you shed on the cross for each one of us.
I ask for strength for our community as we stand together on the Christian
principles we know from your Word. I pray that the days when we are strong
we will reach out a hand to lift up a brother or sister, when we are weak that
hand will be extended to us. Bind us together with love and bless our community,
churches, businesses, and school. Amen