May 28, 2013
SCRIPTURE: Matthew 26:36-39
OBSERVATIONS/APPLICATION
The line that jumps out at me today is His final prayer: “But let what you want be done, not what I want.”
He is sad, troubled, suffering, feeling close to death, and this is what He prays.
I try to find a comparison in my own life, to a time when I am struggling.
At those times, am I praying these words too… ‘what You want, not what I want!’
How can God want someone He loves to be abused, to suffer, to die?
We know the big picture, that God has a good purpose in this, that Jesus suffers so that we might be helped.
Is this true for all suffering and death that God allows, that He somehow has a purpose in it?
If there is no God, then there is no purpose to suffering and death… it just is, deal with it.
But if there is a God, either He cannot prevent it (which is a troubling thought), or He has a reason and purpose for allowing it to happen.
Jesus chooses to trust God, trusting His greater purpose despite the painful cost… will I?
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, help me to see that all things are a part of a Master Plan, that somehow all things fit together for a great and glorious purpose. Let what you want be done, not what I want.
God is telling me I’ve got a long way to go before I end up in this place wanting what God wants more than what I want. Still pretty wrapped up in my own wants. I couldn’t honestly pray like this. I would have run away from the cup, not willingly drank it.
Observation:
Jesus knew what was about to happen and He took His ‘inner circle. with Him. In the time of need, trouble, hardship – Jesus went to the Father in prayer and He also had company to keep watch over Him. This is a time when the Scriptures described Jesus’ sorrow – to the point of death. Certainly a description of Christ we have not seen before, but He knew what was to come – the raging storm. And did the disciples keep watch?
Application:
In all of life, ‘walk with the risen Saviour.’ Take it to the Lord in prayer. And be encouraged, strengthened by the community of saints who also can pray for the special needs to empower. God does provide in miraculous ways His wonders to perform but not necessarily in ways that we expect. We never walk alone. WE always have His presence with us enabling us if we but connect.
Prayer:
All of my life I just need to take it all to the Lord in prayer.
What a Friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.
Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged; take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness; take it to the Lord in prayer.
Are we weak and heavy laden, cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge, take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do your friends despise, forsake you? Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In His arms He’ll take and shield you; you will find a solace there.
Blessed Savior, Thou hast promised Thou wilt all our burdens bear
May we ever, Lord, be bringing all to Thee in earnest prayer.
Soon in glory bright unclouded there will be no need for prayer
Rapture, praise and endless worship will be our sweet portion there.