Luke 22:39-46

March 24 - Luke 22:39-46

Jesus didn’t want to die. This may sound shocking to some people, but Jesus is fully human as well as fully God. The experience of death is not natural and Jesus knows that.  With His humanity comes the desire to avoid suffering and death. Jesus could feel pain just as much as you and me.  He does not delight in suffering like he is a masochist.   And he knew what was coming, not just physical torment, but the utter horror of bearing God’s full wrath. Who would want to experience that just because?

Which brings us to the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus prays so fervently that drops of blood fall down his face. And what does Jesus pray? “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” Thy will be done. We mimic this prayer every time we pray the Lord’s Prayer.

It was God’s will to send Jesus to the cross in our place. It was God’s will to destroy sin and death. Jesus goes because this is His Father’s will and Jesus loves his Father and he also loves you.  And it is God’s will for us to spend eternity with Him and that is what Jesus gladly goes to accomplish.

Our sinful flesh does not want God’s will done to us, even if it’s for our good. We want what we want. We are really very selfish creatures. But thanks be to God that we have a Savior who was able to fully submit to God’s will for our sake and for the joy that was set before him, endured the cross and despised its shame.