Today is the 28th day of Lent, a 40 day season of spiritual reflection, repentance, and renewal. During these 40 days we’ll explore the prayer life of Jesus, walking chronologically through every mention of Jesus’ prayer life and prayers in the Gospels.
Here is today’s prayer event: 36 Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I go over there and pray.” 37And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38Then he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me.” 39And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” 40And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter, “So, could you not watch with me one hour? 41 Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 42Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.” 43And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. 44So, leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words again. 45Then he came to the disciples and said to them, “Sleep and take your rest later on. See, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand.” (Matt. 26:36-46 ESV)
Because Jesus is fully divine, it may be surprising to hear him praying, “Let this cup pass from me…Let this cup pass from me…Let this cup pass from me.” But because Jesus is also fully human, it may also be surprising to hear him praying, “Nevertheless, your will be done…Nevertheless, your will be done…Nevertheless, your will be done.”
In one prayer, Jesus says things we often won’t say because we fear slighting the Father (“Let this cup pass from me…”), and he says things we often can’t say because we fear submitting to the Father (“Nevertheless, your will be done…”). Our spirit longs for us to surrender our will to God’s, but the flesh is so often weak. Our flesh longs for us to be honest and transparent with God, but the spirit so often refuses.
Think right now of a circumstance in your life or in the life of someone else which is discouraging. For a few moments, praying nothing but “Let this cup pass…Let this cup pass…Let this cup pass…” After some silence, begin praying again. This time, however, pray nothing but “Nevertheless, your will be done…Nevertheless, your will be done…Nevertheless, your will be done.”
SHARE WITH READERS BELOW: WHICH SIDE OF JESUS’ PRAYER IS EASIEST/HARDEST FOR YOU?
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Nevertheless let you will be done is hardest for me, for most times I feel I know what’s better for me than God does…but every now and again, when a “No” comes along, several years later something comes up and shows me just why “No” was His answer.
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