Sacrifice

"My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death," Jesus said to them. "Stay here and keep watch." Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. "Abba, Father," he said, "everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will." Mark 14:35-36

Was Jesus trying to get out of his task? Jesus expressed his true feelings, but he did not deny or rebel against God's will. He reaffirmed his desire to do what God wanted. Jesus' prayer highlights the terrible suffering he had to endure - an agony so much more magnified because he had taken on the sins of the whole world. This "cup" was the agony of alienation from God, his Father, at the cross. The sinless son of God took on our sins and was separated for a while from God so that we could be eternally saved. While praying, Jesus was keenly aware of what doing the Father's will would cost him. He understood the suffering he was about to encounter, and he did not want to have to endure the horrible experience. But Jesus prayed, "Not what I will, but what you will." Anything worth having costs something. What does your commitment to God cost you? Be willing to pay the price to gain something worthwhile in the end. God Bless you, J.H