What a biblical breakthrough I had this morning while reading! Matthew 26 is where I'm at, God had me specifically pause at Gethsemane. This is right before Jesus is betrayed by Judas Iscariot and turned over to the Sanhedrin. Jesus asks three disciples, including Peter (who later denied Him three times) to join him and more specifically to watch over Him as his heart is heavy and He is overwhelmed with sorrow at the coming doom. All He asked these three men to do was to keep watch over Him for one hour. All three men failed Him and kept falling asleep. Jesus, our Redeemer and King, was so distraught and heavy-burdened to the point of death that He literally fell with His face to the ground and "prayed" to His Father. He begged His Father to take away the impending pain that was coming, but only if it was His will, otherwise, he submitted to His Father.
Two observations were gleaned from this. First, Jesus asked three disciples, three friends, to be there for Him and to watch over Him. They failed. Jesus was left with no option other than to rely solely on God. Often times we will lean on our family & friends before leaning on God. God should be and wants to be our ultimate counsel and comfort.
Secondly, Jesus begged God three times to take His sorrow and His pain. Three times. Yet, God said it was His will for Him to take the cup in order that He might save us from our sins, from eternal damnation. It wasn't about Jesus and His pain, rather it was about saving His lost sheep! Many times when we pray we ask God to take away our sorrow and our pain rather than asking Him to help us through it but God has allowed some trials for us,not to see us hurt but for us to help others and to console others. It's not always about us. So, our trials, burdens and pains; they just might be so that we can minister to others and God expects us to endure it, grow through it and use it.
Two observations were gleaned from this. First, Jesus asked three disciples, three friends, to be there for Him and to watch over Him. They failed. Jesus was left with no option other than to rely solely on God. Often times we will lean on our family & friends before leaning on God. God should be and wants to be our ultimate counsel and comfort.
Secondly, Jesus begged God three times to take His sorrow and His pain. Three times. Yet, God said it was His will for Him to take the cup in order that He might save us from our sins, from eternal damnation. It wasn't about Jesus and His pain, rather it was about saving His lost sheep! Many times when we pray we ask God to take away our sorrow and our pain rather than asking Him to help us through it but God has allowed some trials for us,not to see us hurt but for us to help others and to console others. It's not always about us. So, our trials, burdens and pains; they just might be so that we can minister to others and God expects us to endure it, grow through it and use it.