Matthew 26:39
39 Then he went a short distance farther and fell on his face and prayed, “My Father, if it’s possible, take this cup of suffering away from me. However—not what I want but what you want.”
Mateo 26:39
Jesús se alejó un poco de ellos, se arrodilló hasta tocar el suelo con la frente, y oró a Dios: «Padre, ¡cómo deseo que me libres de este sufrimiento! Pero no será lo que yo quiera, sino lo que quieras tú.
Jesus in Gethsemane – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UJOd8ZUt0OI
Jesus already knew that He was going to be arrested, condemned, crucified and would die and resurrect on the third day. But, let’s think about his “human” side for a second. In Matthew 26, just before He was arrested, Jesus was sad. And He said so to his disciples, verse 38 Then he said to them, “I’m very sad. It’s as if I’m dying. Stay here and keep alert with me.”
Can you imagine knowing the exact date and time of your death and not being able to do anything to stop it? It was a desperate moment for His human side. It was a moment of anguish, of despair, of frustration even perhaps if it ever happened to one of us mortals.
Many of us have faced despair like this. Perhaps we weren’t or aren’t going to be crucified, but we bear a cross that is heavy. It feels like we are prisoners on death row…waiting to be executed and there’s nothing we can do about it. Or at least, it feels that way.
I’ve had moments of desperation, moments when you think and want to scream to the world “I can’t take it anymore!” You feel your head spinning, your vision is blurry, your mind is clogged and you can’t seem to see the light at the end of the tunnel. You are even tempted to hate or criticize others that are happy around you, saying they don’t understand your situation because YOUR situation is so much worse.
Think about that moment in Gethsemane. The clock was ticking for Jesus’ arrest. He knew the moment of his death was near. His situation was probably worse than what you and I have gone through. He had to die for all of us who despised him. He was going to die for all of the haters, the fake, the liars, the humans. It was His destiny, and there was nothing He could do about it, except…go through with it.
So, Jesus, in his human form, what did He do? He prayed. He got down on his knees and prayed.
Verse 39: Then he went a short distance farther and fell on his face and prayed…
One of the first songs I remember learning when I was a teenager and was practicing my voice was one called On My Knees by Jaci Velasquez. I love piano and voice, and this song has both of these. However, the song is more than that. This song is powerful, it makes you clench your teach, shed tears and makes your skin have goosebumps. And it’s not because of Jaci’s voice (although WOW!), it’s because of the power prayer has, when you humble yourself, you fall to the ground and pray.
Jesus didn’t have to humble Himself. Jesus was the Son of God. Yet, he fell on his face, and prayed with all His might. I can picture Jesus, face on the dirt, robe soiled from laying there and asking God to deliver Him from death, but humbling Himself accepting God’s will and not His.
Verse 39 continues: …However—not what I want but what you want.”
Can you feel the despair? The sadness in Jesus’ voice? He begs the Father once again, but his humbleness is still there. He chooses to accept the will of the Father.
Verse 42 A second time he went away and prayed, “My Father, if it’s not possible that this cup be taken away unless I drink it, then let it be what you want.”
In your times of despair, get on your knees and feel the power. Ask for God’s will to be made in your life. You might not think this is the best way out. I know I haven’t. But once I surrender to God’s will, it’s all smooth sailing afterward. God’s path isn’t the easiest, in fact, it can be very hard. But it is the happiest and most fulfilling.
And along your way…remember to pray: 41 Stay alert and pray so that you won’t give in to temptation. The spirit is eager, but the flesh is weak.
Have a blessed Easter.
*Song I Ask Again by Mark David Lee.
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