Gethsemane

Journey to the Cross- Station 6

36Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, "Sit here while I go over there and pray." 37He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38Then he said to them, "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me."
39Going 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."

40Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. "Could you men not keep watch with me for one hour?" he asked Peter. 41"Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak."

42He 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."

43When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. 44So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing.

45Then he returned to the disciples and said to them, "Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour is near, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46Rise, let us go! Here comes my betrayer!"- Matthew 26:36-46

This scene reveals the sorrow in Jesus' heart that night. He prayed to his Father that he would not have to go to the cross if there were another way. He prayed the hardest prayer "yet not as I will, but as your will." When Jesus said "May this cup be taken from me," he was referring to the difficult thing his father was asking him to bear. Yet Jesus chose to drink the cup, even if it was painful.

"Yet not as I will, but as you will." This was probably the hardest prayer that I have ever made. I thought I always knew what was best for me. I wanted to control everything in my life. But I have learned that sometimes the desires and dreams of my heart are not necessarily what is best for me. And I have realized that things change and plans fail for a reason. For I am certain that I know God knows what is best for me. So here I am . . . letting God lead me. And He has taken me to some where I never thought I would be. He is faithful to His promises and has restored the joy in my heart. So think about some of the things in your life that you desire. Also think about some of the things God is calling you to give up and to let Him take care of. Talk to God about them and watch how God will open doors. His plans for us are more than we could ever imagine. Praying for you always.