Happy Easter!
Thank you Jesus for the love for us that You displayed many Easters ago.
Let’s dive in to Matthew 26:36-46 this morning. To set the scene here, Jesus and the disciples just ate the “Last Supper” and went to the Mount of Olives. After a brief conversation with Peter, Jesus went with the disciples to a place called Gethsemane.
Verses 37 and 38 say, “He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”
He was heartbroken. Why do you think that was? He knew what was coming. He knew resurrection and newness were coming. So, even though these next several hours would be painful, there was a definite reward in store.
We have already established he was heartbroken. Verse 39 says, “Going a little farther…” Stop here. He was hurting, but he still kept going. A little farther. Another step. He kept moving in spite of what he felt. “..he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet, not as I will, but as you will.” He fell to his face on the ground, in complete submission to the will of God and pleaded for the cup to pass. He was entirely vulnerable.
In verse 42, he asked a second time. But, why, the resurrection was coming and he knows it? He prophesied about rebuilding the temple in three days himself (John 2:19). So he knows how this is going to end. Verse 44, he asked again.
But, after he spoke with God and submitted to His will. In verse 46 He said, “Rise, let us go!” He kept going, friends. He didn’t want to, but He did.
This moment Jesus experienced is such a human moment. He lived as we lived. He felt the things we did. He chose to walk within the will of God, just as we can. Knowing he was a lamb being prepared for slaughter, he kept walking. You can think what you like, but I do not believe Jesus experienced the cross because he wanted to. He chose to because he trusted God for the outcome. He trusted God’s word.
Lets think about what he may have feared: pain, leaving his loved ones behind, permanency, and lack of understanding from the people he loved.
Right now, I am heavy at heart about marriage. I am twenty-seven and from an area in the country that would consider me an ‘older bride’ from this point forward. Yes, I am aware that is not true, but many of my loved ones have not realized that. It is not the wedding I look forward to, even though that can be fun. I can’t claim to even be ready for a marriage- I honestly don’t know. However, I am ready to find someone to do life with. Consistently; everyday. I am over dating and the highs and lows. It may sound silly friends, and trust me I am embarrassed to even report it to you, but my best friend believes my words are most powerful when they are personal and from my heart and I really want to you to understand what I am challenging you to in this post.
I know, that I know, that I know that God has someone special in store. I am not talking about “The One” that most believe is out there. I , personally, do not believe there is one person designed for me; but I believe there are God-honoring choices that I get to make in selecting my spouse. I believe that by loving God first, he will deliver on his promise to give me the desire of my heart. How can I believe the God of creation is unable to do such a thing; even if it seems nearly impossible to me. So, friends, even though this lonely season is painful, and I fear change in leaving behind the man I loved before, and permanency of the decision is intimidating, and I fear that those around me don’t understand my patience or what I am praying for- I keep walking. If I am being honest, right now I am asking God daily to take this cup. Just give me someone that I can make life work with so I can experience it. However, because I trust God more than myself and I know he knows the depth of my heart so he is able to place someone in front of me that meets the desire, I keep walking. I trust his Word, his omniscience and his timing, so I keep walking. I will rise up, just as my Jesus did, and keep walking. Wading through the season of development to get to the resurrection- life.
Think about that thing you have been trudging through to get to the promise. The Son of God felt it to friends. But following Jesus means following Him through this part too. Keep walking with resurrection ahead. With death to these things today, comes life in resurrection and promise.
Trust God, our gracious and loving Father and stay heaven minded. Resurrection is coming.
Morning Joy 