By Dianne Coflin, Co-Pastor, River of Life Church
Then Jesus came with the disciples to a place called Gethsemane and said to them, “Sit down here while I go over there and pray.” Then he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee and began to be in terrible distress and misery. “My heart is nearly breaking,” he told them. “Stay here and keep watch with me.” Then he walked on a little way and fell on his face and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me—yet it must not be what I want, but what you want.” Mt. 26:39, Phillips Translation.
This was Jesus’ prayer in the garden as he struggled personally with what he was facing. In a few hours, He was going to the cross to bear the sin of all mankind. I often wondered what would have happened if He had chosen His own will instead of the Father’s. He had that choice, and humanly he struggled. He needed at that moment from God the resolve to fulfill the plan. His will was interfering with His Father’s. Nevertheless, “Not my will, but what you want,” He cried.
How many of us struggle every day to want to do our own will instead of our Heavenly Father’s? We can get faced with countless temptations throughout the day. It could be a struggle to forgive someone, or to be kind instead of hateful, to be obedient when we would rather not and indulge the flesh. It may be something more serious when you realize God is changing your destiny and has asked that you cooperate with His plan. Maybe it’s to move or change a job or go full-time into the ministry. Whatever the reason, often the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.
God will not override our will. However, if he has required of us something that we don’t want to do, He will supply the strength and internal resolve to follow through. He simply asks us to pray and humble ourselves before Him.
In Philippians 2:13, the New Living Translation (NLT) says,
“ For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.” He will give you the desire and power to do what pleases Him as you pray. You may still feel the internal struggle to go your own way, even as the Lord did when he prayed in the Garden. In fact, He prayed three times before He had the victory. Jesus received this victory personally before He ever went to the cross.
We are told in Hebrews 12:1-2 NLT, “Let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now He is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.”
Dr. Dianne Coflin, Co-Pastor og River of Life Church, Lutz, Florida. We would love to have you come!! 10:30 Sunday morning services!!