They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death,” he said to them. “Stay here and keep watch.”
Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. “Abba, Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.”
Mark 14:32-36
When Jesus was just hours away from going to the cross, Scripture tells us that He felt distressed, troubled, overwhelmed, and grieved. This weight pressed upon Him so heavily that He felt like it might kill Him. This weight was the burden of our sins that Jesus would carry upon the cross. “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21). Jesus was sinless and pure, yet He took on the guilt and shame of the world, so that we could take on His righteousness. Jesus prayed the most brave prayer we will ever hear, “…not what I will, but what you will.”
Heavenly Father, we thank you for sending Jesus to bear the burden of our sins and pay the debt of our disobedience. Even though this task hurt and distressed Jesus, He was wiling to do it so that we could be saved and in right relationship with God. Help us to pause and remember Jesus’ great sacrifice for us. Bring us to a place of appreciation and worship. Help us to live our lives like Jesus lived His: “…not what I will, but what you will.” Lord, save us from ourselves. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
