And going a little farther He fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.”
Matthew 26:39
The image of the Son, fallen on His face, begging his Father for a different course of action wrecks me.
The reality that He went on to be obedient floors me.
Scripture tells us that Christ was tempted with all things and overcame them. This year, the garden is on my heart. Of all the temptations and chances He had to prove who He was and make another choice, Thursday night had to have been the hardest. He could have gone another path. He could have insisted on another solution.
Yet, He said, with face on the ground, “not as I will, but as you will.”
What incredible obedience. And trust. And love.
Father, make that the prayer of our hearts and a lesson of Easter. Ultimate obedience produced ultimate suffering. That suffering saved me. Lord, help me to trust in you like your Son did that hard night in the garden.
