"And going a little farther, He threw Himself upon the ground on His face and prayed saying, My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass away from Me; nevertheless, not what I will [not what I desire], but as You will and desire." Matthew 26:39
WOW...what an example Christ set here for us of dying to self. At the most pivotal, frightful, excruciating point of his life, with the fate of all mankind resting on his shoulders and the knowledge of the cross (and the immense suffering prior to the actual crucifixion) at the forefront of his mind, Christ's prayer here shows the full extent of his "human-ness" and yet the overarching power of a love only God himself is capable of.
While you will likely never be called to die for a world of people who hate you, you may be called to go through a trail that is very painful. It is ok to ask God to take it away, but keep this scene in mind and know that whatever brings Him the most glory and points people to Him as your source of strength should be the ultimate desire of our hearts. And you can rest assured that on the other side of your trial He will raise you up again!
Don’t forget what Christ went through about two thousand years ago this week. Take time to let it soak in and to give Him thanks for paying a debt that He did not owe and that we could never pay.
“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13
