. . . and He Took the Cup

With these words, our church completes the act of taking communion -- something we did this week to prepare our hearts for the observance of Good Friday and Easter Sunday.  However, this time, my pastor re-focused us on the choice that Christ made, and we traveled to a moon-lit Garden of Gethsemane to examine the most critical decision in all of human history.

The Gospel accounts tell us that Jesus was "overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death" in the hours just before his mockery of a trial and ultimate execution (Mark 14:34).  We are told that his sweat was like great drops of blood (Luke 22:44).  He knew what was coming, and his human side was in anguish over the very thought of his fate.

Although Jesus gave us the Lord's Prayer as model earlier in his ministry, I believe that the most beautiful prayer ever uttered actually occurred in this moment - a moment where a decision on the part of the sinless Son of God paved the way for our redemption.

Luke records it beautifully for us:

Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him.  On reaching the place, he said to them, "Pray that you will not fall into temptation."  He withdrew about a stone's throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, "Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done" (Luke 22:39-42, emphasis added).

Authentic prayer is dangerous.  Seeking God's direction can be frightening.  However, real peace comes only from knowing and doing the will of God.  As in all things, our ultimate example is Christ Jesus.  May we learn to pray as he did, humbly submitting ourselves to God's beautiful, wonderful, perfect will.

My prayer is that you and your family will draw closer to the Savior during this most holy of seasons.