SATURDAY • APRIL 9
In this week’s passages, Jesus demonstrates to us what true surrender to God looks like. As His time on Earth drew to a close, He got away with His disciples to pray. Jesus knew what was coming and asked God if there were any way to avoid the pain and suffering He knew He would endure. That was not an easy thing for Jesus. He was in genuine anguish. However, He humbly surrendered to His Father, saying, “Not my will, but yours be done.” Jesus is a true example of both the pain and the beauty of surrender during difficult times.
Scriptures for this week:
Matthew 26:36-46, Mark 14:32-42, Luke 22:39-46
Your Will Be Done
By: CarolAnne Tsai (B4 Resource Coordinator)
As I read this passage, I get stuck on the words, “Yet not as I will, but as You will.” In a way, Jesus prays the same prayer He taught His disciples: “Your Kingdom come, Your will be done.” There, in the garden, He faced a moment when what He wanted to do did not align with what He was called to do. So, He did the only thing there was to do in that situation. He prayed.
There are countless things in my life that I want my way. There are paths and options that I know are right for me. They may be right for me, but are they suitable for the Kingdom of God? They may accomplish my purpose, but do they achieve His purpose? These things are my will for my kingdom.
Yet, Jesus taught and then modeled at the most challenging moment of His life, a different way that leads to life, even through death. Jesus’ way was Kingdom first, death to self (and self-focused desires) so that He could accomplish God-focused goals. So, likewise, I am sometimes called to give up what I want and desire for the sake of the Kingdom of God to grow and reach others.
Questions for Reflection:
Think: What do you think of how Jesus responded when things were not as He would have chosen? How have you responded in similar circumstances? How was your response similar to or different from Jesus’?
Pray: If you are currently in a season where you are struggling between what you want for your life and what God seems to have for you, ask God to give you eyes to see how His will is being used for His Kingdom. If you are not in a difficult season currently, pray for someone who is.
Respond: Today, or in the next few days, think through some of the things you have wanted for your life that haven’t happened. What was the ultimate result? How has God used those unmet desires for His Kingdom’s purposes? If it’s helpful, you can journal about these experiences or spend some time processing them with a friend, family member, or someone in your small group.