In the Footsteps of Jesus #18

^{Scripture: Matthew 16:36-46}

³⁶Then 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^[a] 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? ⁴¹Watch 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.^[b] 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."

"WAR OF THE WILLS"

Within the confines of the Garden of Gethsamene there are eight olives trees which some botanists claim are over 3,000 years old! If this is true it means that there is a piece of living history that survives from Christ’s day down to our own. It is possible that these very trees were eyewitnesses to the greatest battle ever waged in prayer. Oh that these trees could speak of the agony of that hour. What a tale of grace and glory they could relate.

The night Jesus was betrayed He took His disciples and retreated to Gethsamene and wrestled with His Father in prayer. Jesus like any man did not wish to die. He knew the torments that awaited upon the cross. But He submitted Himself to the Father’s plan. Our salvation was guaranteed in the seven simple words Jesus spoke: “Not my will, but thine be done.”

How hard it is for us sometimes to submit to the will of our Heavenly Father. We think we know a better way and easier way. How we must learn that God’s way is the best way. Are you wrestling with God today over some important matter? Think of Jesus beneath those three thousand years old olives trees and pray the prayer He prayed. “Thy will be done.”

Question: What things do I find hard to turn over to God?

Prayer: Father, help me turn from my willful ways and accept your plans for my life. In Jesus name. Amen.