PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Matthew 26:36-39
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me.” (Matthew 26:39)
There was a time in the early church when Jesus followers sought martyrdom.
They wanted the honour of suffering and dying like their Messiah.
I want to be like the Messiah too, especially the “may this cup be taken from me” part.
For me there is no pleasure or point in seeking suffering or death.
Suffering of some sort goes with the job when following Jesus.
But that doesn’t mean we have to seek it out, as if suffering were the goal.
Like Jesus, we too can be “sorrowful and troubled” (26:37) about suffering.
But as a Jesus follower, our goal is the same as Jesus’, to do God’s will.
And God’s will is not that we suffer, but that we do what is loving and right.
If we “suffer for what is right” or “suffer for doing good”, we are blessed (1 Peter 3:14,17).
Deep down I want to do what is right and good, I want to do God’s will.
I’m asking that the cup of suffering pass me by, but that is not what I am seeking.
As I pray this prayer, I think of many others who are suffering horribly for Jesus.
This is my prayer for them too… “if it is possible, may this cup be taken from them.”
PRAYER
Lord, I am not asking for hardship, but I do ask for a stronger determination to do what is right and good – even if it means suffering.
Jesus’ sense of dread and foreboding about what is coming next – that he would drink the cup of redemption – the cup of death. AS a human the anguish ‘to the point of death’ was real – he had to fight the urge to say forget it – its not worth it. But that very thought must of driven him on – for as God – He too wanted that special relationship with mankind restored. Sin had to be paid and righteousness had to overcome the evil. There have been times when I dreaded what was coming – fearful and uptight – we can experience a little of what Jesus was facing. He knew – still he prayed for another way. I do too – suffering is hard. But in the end there was no other way and Jesus carried on through – for you and for me!
Not my will but His will be done. All for Jesus. And we have been told that when we live for Him, there will be suffering/persecution. He will give us the strength to overcome. If we can not escape the persecution God will strengthen His own to overcome. Watch and pray because that is the only way to overcome. He has shown us the way and it is only in His power, by His Spirit’s leading that I can live for Him today. May others see Jesus in me by my words and deeds as He continues to work in me and through me to be an instrument of His peace.
Living for Jesus, a life that is true,
Striving to please Him in all that I do;
Yielding allegiance, glad-hearted and free,
This is the pathway of blessing for me.
Refrain:
O Jesus, Lord and Savior, I give myself to Thee,
For Thou, in Thy atonement, didst give Thyself for me;
I own no other Master, my heart shall be Thy throne;
My life I give, henceforth to live, O Christ, for Thee alone.