Episode 207

TODAY’S READING:

39 And he came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him. 40 And when he came to the place, he said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.” 41 And he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, 42 sayings, “Father if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” 43 And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. 44 And being in agony, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground. 45 And when he rose from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping for sorrow, 46, and he said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Rise and pray that you may not enter into temptation.”

Luke 22:39-46

 

Here we are, second prayer for Easter, and we are looking at Jesus praying right before he was arrested. Here he is asking God if there was any other way around what He has been called to do.

 

Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.

 

If you are willing.

 

He knew that even though He didn’t want to go through with it, it was never up to Him if He could get out of it. He knew at this moment that the only way around this was if God himself gave Him another option.

 

His commitment to us is unwavering. He knew He was sent to Earth to die.

 

How many times are we faced with something that we do not want to do? How many times is it easier to just give in to temptation than to do what God has called us to do?

 

Think about the little day-to-day choices we make. It is easier for us to give in to the foods we shouldn’t eat than to go for a run. It is easier to go to brunch than it is to wake up early and serve at church. It is easier for us to make plans to go to the beach than to serve our city.

 

All of our choices seem so minuscule compared to what Jesus was asking. Yet, we fail all the time. The task before Him was heavy, yet He followed through with it so gracefully. Our only takeaway today is to reflect on how He prayed. He prayed a normal prayer, one that we pray every day, God if there is any other way, please show me. A lot of the time, there is an easy way out of our calling, but every time He sends us strength, just like he sent an angel to strengthen Jesus.

 

So if there is anything you take away from this passage is that, in your moments of prayer, you will always come out stronger than how you went in. Take the time to pray over your choices. Whether they be difficult, life-changing choices or not, every day, we must pray that we stay on track with where he has called us. 

 

PRAYER

Jesus, help us pray as you did. Give us the courage to pray every day. Fill us with your strength. Lead us in the right direction. Let us learn from you, Lord. Thank you for teaching us how to pray; thank you for being the man you were and the father, friend, and confidant that you are. We thank you for the opportunity to go deeper with you each day. It is in your Holy name that we pray, AMEN!