Jesus could have stopped it.
He knew it was coming, – the pain, the agony, that would lead to His death.
“Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.”
Not only did He know this was going to happen, He also knew who it was…
“He who has dipped his hand in the dish will be tray me” – then –“Judas, who would betray him answered, “Is it I Rabbi?” He said to him, “you have said so”.
If this had been you or me we would have tried to avoid the situation. But Jesus didn’t. He went to the garden and prayed at the very spot he knew Judas was coming too with an army. Self-preservation would have said to go somewhere else. Hide so the danger will never find you and kick this betraying spy out of the group. This way you would avoid the road of pain that was ahead.
But Jesus’ purpose was greater than avoiding pain. It was greater than running from the hardship of being punished for crimes He did not commit. His purpose was greater than “avoiding” the deep feeling of being alone, rejected and betrayed. His purpose was greater than self-preservation.
His purpose was to do the will of the Father…
“My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.”
His Father’s purpose made everything else less important. His Father’s will was reason enough to endure immense pain, because even the pain was small compared to accomplishing the purpose God had for the saving of the whole world.
What stops you from doing the work God has for you? Is it what people might think? Is it fear of rejection? Is it inward thoughts of inadequacy? Is it something else? A sin that you continue to do, or a path that you decided to take that you know isn’t the right path according to God?
It is time to look beyond that, and say “even though you lead me into the valley of the shadow of death” I will follow you there an accomplish Your purpose for the world rather than a minuscule purpose that only revolves around me.
“Lord let this cup of affliction pass from me, but if not – that’s OK, I want Your purpose to be accomplished, not mine”
Amen and Amen
Bible Readings for today – Matthew 26:17-30; 26:36-46; Mark 14:12-26; 14:32-42; Luke 22:7-30 and 22:39-46.
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