Obedient To Death On The Cross
LENT 2022 | DAY 36
Matthew 26:36-56 (NIV)
(Benjamin Kan, Chairperson, Finance)
READ:
OBSERVE:
In the last few days of his life on earth, Jesus had to face humiliating and excruciating trials under the Jewish leaders and the Roman rulers all alone. One of his disciples betrayed him and the rest fled and deserted him when he was arrested in Gethsemane. Even then, Jesus’ obedience to God was resolute and unwavering.
When he prayed in Gethsemane, he first asked, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” His next prayers were even more resolute, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.” The betrayal and being deserted by his disciples could not shake his faith in and obedience to his Father’s will.
Jesus’ faith in his Father is again demonstrated when he admonishes one of his disciples for using his sword on a servant of the high priest and proclaims in verse 53, “Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels?”
The reason for his absolute faith and obedience is clear and certain in his mind. He came to fulfil his Father’s will as recorded in the Old Testament. In verse 56 he said, “But this has all taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled.”
APPLY:
Jesus’ faith in his Father during his last moments on earth is a great example of what my faith in God must be. Jesus came to be the Lamb of God, whose salvific death on the cross defeated death and gave all who believed in him eternal life.
It is not wrong to ask God if the “cup” can be avoided but just like Jesus, I must be ready to submit all to God’s will even when it is not the outcome I was expecting. Why so? Because God truly loves me. In fact, He loves me so much that He sent His only and beloved Son to die on the cross for me so that I may be saved. There is none willing to die for me to save me and yet, Jesus, the Son of the Living God, willingly gave his life for me.
Every time I take a moment to imagine what a marvellous and loving God we have, my heart is flooded with gratitude and I gladly surrender my life and will to Him. I know there will be many times when I fail to obey Him as a fallen human being, but I also know His sufficient grace will lift me up again and again when I repent and allow Him to sanctify me and grow my faith in Him.
DO:
It takes much time and effort to build a faith in God like Jesus. There is no time to waste but to start and persist in my intentional discipleship without any hesitation. Read and meditate on His word, pray unceasingly, praise His holy name, surrender to His perfect will, so that His Spirit can indwell me and be my guiding light and fragrant salt and begin the joyful spiritual transformation process, creating in me a faithful and obedient disciple of God in my faith journey with Him.
PRAY:
Heavenly Father, my glorious and marvellous God. Thank you so much for Your faithfulness and amazing grace through Jesus. I accept that there is no way I can earn or repay Your glorious gift of eternal life except to offer myself as a living sacrifice to You, surrendering my will to You and fully trusting and obeying You as best as I can. Please grant me Your strength, perseverance and the assurance of Your love to always walk faithfully in accordance with Your perfect will and grace. All praise, glory and honour be Yours forever and ever. In Jesus’ precious name I pray. Amen.
