December 22, 2021 | Luke 22

Read Luke 22

Scripture- Luke 22:42 “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”

Observations- Jesus was getting ready to endure some of the most brutal torture and death that mankind has handed out. On top of that, he was getting ready to endure hell as he was the substitute for the sins of the world. We could expect anyone in his situation to pray the same prayer. Yet, he closed it with a phrase that shows ultimate trust in God: Not my will, but yours be done. He then got up and went to the cross to show the extent of God’s unbelievable love for all people. 

Application- There are many things that I want in this life. I want my family to be healthy. I want work to go well. I want peace within the country. I pray about these things and many other things, and normally I end the same way Jesus ended his prayer. “Not my will but yours be done.” But it is one thing for me to say it, but do I mean it? Am I content no matter how God answers my prayer in this particular situation? Because God’s answer to Jesus was, “No, there’s no other way,” I can be sure that God loves me and answers my prayers in a way that is for my eternal best.  

Prayer- Dear Jesus, thank you for enduring the torture, the pain, the crucifixion, and hell itself for me. Thank you for deferring to God’s will and carrying out that will. Because you did, I know that God loves me, cares for me, and answers my prayers in a way that’s best for my eternal well being. I am able to confidently trust and say, “Your will be done.” Amen.