August 18 “Not My Will”

Luke 22:41-42 He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt and prayed, 42 “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” 
 
DO you remember that Jesus taught us some essentials of prayer with these model words: “Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10)? Do you know he really meant it? The Son of God’s greatest desire was for the Father’s will to be done.
    I know this makes good sense. Relationally, the Son is one of three persons of the Trinity. In such a holy union, he should place the Father’s will uppermost. The Son of God fully knows he has come to fulfill the Holy God’s eternal purpose. Far, far greater is eternity’s purpose than suffering’s severity. Obediently, lovingly, the Son prays, “not my will, but yours be done.” Only when we render unto God full love, will we honor and worship him with a heart prepared to live into such words.
    Yes, Jesus, fully man and fully God, desired the cup of suffering be taken from him. How could the eternal holy Son, who came from glory, experience the brutal cross? What innocent man would go willingly to die for the guilty? Who could take up our sins and carry our sorrow? Why would one fully righteous submit to be seen as cursed, stricken and afflicted by God? (Taken from Isaiah 53:4.) The ugly, mocking trials awaited. The brutal cross had been formed. The nails were forged. Yet, “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world.” (John 1:29) prayed, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” 
    To yield to temptation was to call on the angels to save him, to return to the upper room or to leave Jerusalem. To obey was to stay in the purpose: “Your will be done.” So he could do the love: John 15:13 “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” and  “For God so loved the world.” (John 3:16a) 
    The Son of God is the will of God come to earth. He is God’s purpose in the flesh, a flesh about to be brutalized. It is God’s will on earth that will create his church on earth. Through its doors the Father will call countless sinners to become saints in his eternal House.
    Jesus’ shows us how, even in anguish, we are to submit to the Father’s eternal will on earth. What change must you make in your life to be more lovingly in God’s will? Diligently pray, “Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”  Listen to the Spirit’s words and soul urgings.
    Prayer is the conversation that takes you to God’s holy will.
 
Prayer: Lord God, not my will but yours be done on earth as it now is in heaven. In Jesus’ name, amen.