Matthew's Gospel gives us an inside look to what Jesus was thinking and feeling the night before His death, praying in the garden of Gethsemane.
Matthew 26:39
"Going a little farther, 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 prayed like that 2 more times, and between each time Jesus would go check on his best friends, His disciples, who were falling asleep. No one else was with Him, just Jesus and His Father discussing what needed to be done for the will of God to be fulfilled. I find it interesting that Jesus' last prayer to God before He is arrested is a cry out for this NOT to happen! If it is AT ALL POSSIBLE FOR THE WORLD TO BE SAVED ANOTHER WAY, then TAKE -THIS- CUP -AWAY!
YET --
So beautiful, yet. YET- Not MY will BUT YOUR WILL BE DONE!
So, God the Father silently gives His answer in the events to follow. No, my beloved Son, there is not another way by which man must be saved. No, this is part of my will for you, Jesus my Son, my will for you is to suffer and die. Jesus was obedient to the Father, and chose to save us. He was humiliated, he suffered, and he died.
Because it was necessary. And we now live with the Good News, which is that God honored and continues to honor Jesus today- He rose from the dead.
Matthew 28:6
"He is not here; he has risen, just as he said."
Hebrews 10:12
"But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down a the right hand of God."
I say all this to give context to the rest of my blog. 'What are you giving up for Lent? ' Or, more recently,the popular thing to ask is 'what are you doing for the Lenten season?' Pray a little more, read a good spiritual book, give up candy or meat or icecream or TV (all things I have tried to do btw!). All good and valid things, but I must not forget the following:
Galatians 2:16, and 20-21
"know that a man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and NOT BY OBSERVING THE LAW, because by observing the law NO ONE will be justified... I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!"
This past week has been a struggle for Zach and I. I have been hurting emotionally, as God silently says, "no" again. I cry and grit my teeth as I respond, "Fine God, not my will, but your will." Not ideal.
YET-- Yet.
Yet, as I look at what Christ did for me, and as I read about the apostle Paul and his obedience through many different, difficult hardships, his gratitude. And Ruth and Esther and Abraham and Sarah, their faith and perseverance in hope. I want to be more like them.
His love is revealed, and His purpose is real. And with much, much more prayer, and with ever so much helpful prayer from my awesome husband and other loving friends. The picture refocuses. I am again in love with my Savior, who died for me, who has blessed me more than I could have ever dreamed of.
So, what am I doing for Lent? I am remembering that I am a living sacrifice, for the one who gave Himself for me as a ransom. He paid my debt, and I *literally* owe Him my life. ( and I mean literally! ;) )
John 3:16
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."
Romans 8:28
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."
