"We are called to proclaim Jesus, the Christ, as the Head of the Church and the manifested Word of God. Our goal is to teach the Word of God with simplicity and understanding so that it will be applied to our daily lives. We are called to teach all people, believers and non-believers, how to live a victorious life in Christ Jesus. We are here to provide Biblical and practical guidance that will meet the spiritual, emotional, financial and physical needs of those who attend."
Matthew 26:39 (NKJV)
He went a little further and fell on His face, and prayed, saying “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me, nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.”
Jesus Christ, Death: In confronting death Christ turned to God, crying with strong cries and tears. Four things are seen in this verse.
1. Christ got all alone and prostrated Himself before God. Luke says He withdrew “about a stone’s cast” from the three apostles. Note two significant points: (a) He needed to be alone with God He was desperate. (b) He fell on His face –the pressure and weight were unbearable.
2. Christ prayed “O my Father (pater mou).” Note that Christ called God “My Father.” This is what a small child calls his father day by day. It is the address of a child’s love, of dependency and trust. The child knows that His father will hear and turn to him when he calls Father. But note also the words, “O my Father.” Just like a child, He cried out to His Father in childlike brokenness and dependency; He knew that His would hear and turn to help Him.
3. Christ asked God to remove the cup from Him. The human nature and will of Christ are clearly seen here. He was as much a man as any man is. Thus He begged God to choose another way other than the cup (cross), if possible. The experience of being separated from God upon the cross was too much to bear.
4. The Divine nature and will of Christ are also clearly seen. Note the Lord’s words; “Let this cup pass from me: nevertheless…” The first act and impulse, the first struggle and movement of His will had come from His flesh; to escape the cup of separation from God. But the second act and impulse, the second struggle and movement of His will came from His Divine nature; to do not as He willed, but as God willed. Christ surrender to God’s perfect will was critical.
It was through His surrender that He was made perfect and stood before God as the Ideal and Perfect Man.
It was through His surrender to be the Ideal and Perfect Man that His righteousness is still able to stand for every man.
It was through His surrender to be the Ideal and Perfect Man that He was able to bear the cup of God’s wrath against sin for every man.
It was through His surrender to be the Ideal and Perfect Man that His sacrifice and sufferings are still able to stand for every man.
Do we want to do what God wants us to do?
Or do we want to do what we want to do?
We should desire God’s will first.
We should be able to say: ‘I want your will, not mine!
Prayer: Lord, forgive me for wanting to go my own way, I want what You want for me. I want your will, not mine, in Jesus name, Amen.
