CONFORMING TO HIS WILL

Matthew 26:38, 39, 42

Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane is the greatest portrait of inner conflict.  The Son of God, The Lamb who was slain before the foundation of the world, was in the midst of His greatest trial.  Jesus was fully aware of the suffering He must endure for the salvation of humanity.  Suffering that would culminate in death by crucifixion.  It was the fulfilment of His ministry on the earth.  In order to be the sacrifice of for all the world, Jesus was rendered fully human.  He had to be tempted in all ways like we are.  In the garden, Jesus’ resolve to suffer and die for the world, and to have the sins of the world be put upon Him was tested.  Twice, Jesus goes to pray, and asks God the Father to let this “cup” pass from Him.  Ultimately, He ends each prayer surrendering His own will, to have the horror he will face pass from him, to the will of the Lord.  Possibly more than any other passage, this shows Jesus as the ultimate example.  Facing suffering, torture, and death He was able knowingly count the cost, and submit His will to the will of the Father.  The Christ follower must endure this same trial.  Paul writes that we must be transformed by having our mind renewed.  This will allow us to know the will of God.  Once the will of God is known, we must resolve this knowledge with our own desires.  Jesus, the Son of God, who was given the Spirit of God without measure, still had to battle with His own will to avoid suffering.  This battle did not end in a negotiation or compromise.  It ended in complete submission to God the Father.  Our relationship with God is no different.  At times, possibly even in complete understanding, our will does not align with the will of the Father, and our submission to God is tested and tried.  Our love is ultimately shown through our obedience.  Jesus said if you love me, obey my commandments.  To follow Jesus is to die to self, to submit our will to the will of the Lord, and to be a servant and vessel of the Holy Spirit.  Today, may you submit to His glorious will, and at the end of the age may the King of Kings and Lord of Lords commend you with “well done, thy good and faithful servant.”