As we read through the Gospels, we notice a recurring phrase: “My time has not yet come.” Jesus understood that His life was dedicated to glorifying the Father (John 17:1) and that there would come a time when He would obediently humble Himself on the cross. Being both fully man and fully God, Jesus experienced pain, hunger, and exhaustion. He faced the same human struggles we face but was without sin (Hebrews 4:15-16). This struggle is poignantly portrayed in Matthew 26:39 and 42
“And going a little farther, he fell on his face and prayed, saying, ‘My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.’”
Jesus shows us how to battle our flesh by coming to the Father in prayer, saying, “My Father, not as I will, but as you will.” Notice that He didn’t just do this once; He came to the Father multiple times.
“Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, ‘My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.’”
It is comforting to see Jesus coming to the Father with His struggles repeatedly. God calls us to come to Him and be transformed into the image of His Son, which often involves laying down our lives and our wills—sometimes accompanied by heartache and pain. Through faith and trust in God, we can believe that He has a greater good in store for us than we can ever imagine. This is where we need to trust and rest, knowing that a greater joy awaits us, regardless of the counterfeit joys the world offers.
Hebrews 12 reminds us to look to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who, for the joy set before Him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
Let us look to the joy set before us in Christ Jesus and endure the transformation He brings (Romans 12).
It’s hard at times to know God’s will. Even when we pray we may ask for things WE want and then say – if it’s YOUR will. That’s a type of psychological warfare we play with ourselves.
When a waitress says “your meal is great right?” They are not allowing you to answer with much more than a yes or no. If they ask “How is your meal?” There is room for many more responses.
To truly trust in God, we should first say “if it’s Your will” then put our request before him. It will allow Him to offer more answers to your needs.
“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”
Ephesians 3:20-21
God as done so many incredible things in my life. I have seen His healing, His grace, His resurrection power, etc. I can only imagine what He would do if I totally surrendered my life to Him. I pray that Jesus will continue to call me and challenge me to dive deeper.