Scripture:
“My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.”
Matthew 26:39
Background:
As Jesus and His disciples leave the Last Supper and enter the Garden of Gethsemane, the weight of what lies ahead begins to press heavily upon Him. He foretells the disciples’ scattering and Peter’s denial. Then, in the garden, we see one of the most intimate and agonizing moments of Jesus’ earthly life: His soul is sorrowful, even to death, and He pleads with the Father, yet submits fully to His will.
Devotional:
The Garden of Gethsemane was not just a place of prayer—it was a battlefield. In the shadows of the olive trees, Jesus wrestled with sorrow, anguish, and the looming agony of the cross. And yet, His cry of surrender—“Not as I will, but as you will”—echoes through history as the ultimate example of trust and obedience.
Jesus did not run from the will of the Father; He walked into it, knowing it would cost Him everything. In His humanity, He asked for another way—but in His divinity, He submitted perfectly. This is the depth of His love for us.
As we approach Easter, we are invited into this sacred moment—not only to witness His pain but to learn from His trust. When life presses us, when surrender seems too hard, when fear or sorrow threaten to overwhelm—can we pray like Jesus did?
Reflection:
- When have you felt overwhelmed or sorrowful like Jesus in Gethsemane?
- What does Jesus’ prayer, “Not as I will, but as You will,” teach you about trusting God?
- Are there areas in your life where you need to surrender your will to God today?
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank You for Your example of ultimate surrender in the Garden. When I face fear, uncertainty, or pain, help me to trust as You did. Give me the strength to say, “Not my will, but Yours be done,” even when I don’t understand. May Your will shape my heart, and may I walk the path You’ve laid before me with courage and obedience. Amen.
Application:
This week, take time each day to pray a simple prayer of surrender. Write down areas of your life where you’re struggling to let go. Ask the Lord for the strength to trust Him fully, just as Jesus did in the garden.
Takeaway:
Jesus’ surrender in Gethsemane wasn’t weakness—it was the strongest act of love and trust. He chose the Father’s will for our sake. As we follow Him to the cross, may we also walk in that same trust and obedience.
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