He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. Mark 14:33, NIV

 

In the garden of Gethsemane, we again see Jesus’ humanity among people. He takes some of His disciples with him. Very human, he does not want to be alone in his hour of anguish. He is afraid because he knows what his future holds. A difficult path lies ahead. He knows the cross awaits him and that only afterward will he go to the Father’s house.

 

The Son of God understands the purpose, but the human Son prays the plea: if it is possible, let this cup pass from me. Yet in Mark 14:36, he also prays, “Yet not what I will, but what you will.”

 

God became human on this earth to pour out his grace over us completely. He died on the cross on our behalf and carried our guilt.

 

We too sometimes find ourselves in circumstances where we feel anxious or even terrified about the future. Jesus understands, for he has been there. If we too can pray as he did, ‘not my will but yours …’

 

Often, we think we know what is best for us, but God always knows better. It is not always easy to surrender so completely, but we can strive to follow his perfect example.

 

Prayer: Heavenly Father, grant me calmness of spirit to surrender completely to your will. Amen.