02.16.12 “Wrestling for control”
Scripture Reading: Matthew 26:36-42
36 Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” 37 He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38 Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”
39 Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”
40 Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. 41 “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
42 He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.”
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Reflection Questions
This scene is one of the most striking images of Jesus “emptying himself” and “taking the very nature of a servant.” Following the last supper, Jesus shared with his disciples, he retired to the Mount of Olives and the Garden of Gethsemane. In these final moments of preparation, Jesus prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”
- Has God ever asked or required something of you that you did not want to do? Did you do it? How would you approach an experience like that in your life right now? Do you think you would have the courage to “surrender” control as Jesus did? Why or why not?
- Is there an area of your life right now where you are wrestling with God for control? Who is winning?
Weekly Prayer
God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference. Living one day at a time, enjoying one moment at a time; accepting hardship as a pathway to peace; taking, as Jesus did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it; trusting that You will make all things right if I surrender to Your will; so that I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with You forever in the next. Amen.
Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica, Inc.®. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.