THURSDAY April 17th
Matthew 26:39, 42
‘And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.”’
‘Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.”’
Luke 22:41-42
‘And he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.”’
Hebrews 12:2
‘. . . looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.’
For me it was in the garden
He prayed—“Not my will, but thine:”
He had no tears for his own griefs,
But sweat drops of blood for mine.
I wonder how often we get so familiar about something that we fail to stop and consider it with the consideration it deserves—how about this story of redemption. Perhaps it would behove us all to spend some time today, on the eve of Good Friday, to consider afresh the price that was paid for our eternal salvation.
As I suggested Sunday, today may be a suitable time to read and meditate Isaiah 53 and to remind ourselves while reading it that this is what Jesus was willing to undergo for me (make it personal).
He loved me so much so that he was willing to suffer for me, that is to be betrayed, mocked, beaten, whipped and much more, he was willing to take the punishment of my sin for me, he was willing to bear the wrath of God toward that sin for me, he was willing to be forsaken by God and to die for me. ‘Such love, weeps for the shame I know, such love, paying the debt I owe, O Jesus such love’