-April 16, 2023-
Good morning, happy Lord’s Day,
“…Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.”
(Luke 22:42).
Jesus did the Father’s will all His life on earth. Now the greatest challenge was facing Him in the Garden of Gethsemane. He prayed three times that the cup of suffering on the cross would pass away from Him, yet, He was committed to doing the Father’s will no matter what. His agony was so great that the Father sent an angel from heaven to strengthen Him. This also happened after Jesus was tempted by the devil in the wilderness right before He began His earthly ministry.
Luke 22:44 says, “And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling to the ground. He knew there was no other way to save sinners than to go to the cross, suffer, bleed, and die for us. Have you ever been in agony where the pain is excruciating? When you go to the ER, doctor, or hospital, they always ask, “How would you rate your pain from 1-10. Jesus’s physical, spiritual, mental, and emotional pain was off the charts!
Later when Jesus was being arrested, Peter took out a sword and cut off the ear of the servant of the high priest named Malcus. Jesus healed his ear by putting it back on better than new. Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword into the sheath. Shall I not drink the cup which My Father has given Me” (John 18:11).
The more we grow in Christ the more we appreciate our Savior’s dedication to the Father’s will at all costs —and the cost was heavy, the price was high. May we have the same dedication and devotion to doing the Father’s will. Paul also prayed three times that his thorn in the flesh would be taken away from him. Instead, God gave him the sufficient grace to endure it. Sometimes it isn’t God’s will to heal or relieve, but to shower us with His grace, mercy, and love.
Have a blessed Lord’s Day worshiping and remembering what Jesus did for us on the cross. Let us have the same commitment to accept God’s will and do it. Stay safe and healthy.
Looking to Jesus who for the joy set before Him ensured the cross,
Dean
Dean Allen's Daily Devotional 