Photo by Eduardo-Ramos-on Unsplash
Embracing the God life means surrendering your will to that of the Father.
In the New Testament book of Luke, Jesus (during what is called his passions—or suffering) is alone in the garden moments before Judas betrays him. In agonizing prayer, he says to the Father,
“Father, remove this cup from me. But please, not what I want. What do you want?”
Luke 22:42 The Message
This glimpse into the life of Jesus astonishes me.
The Son of God, privy to God’s plan to redeem lost humanity, faces a defining moment just minutes before the plan’s crucial completion.
He asks God (his Father) if there could be another way to accomplish the plan!
Think about that. It isn’t the focus of this story, but it is a powerful lesson about the humanity of Jesus, the Son of God.
It speaks volumes about the hardships we face and the understanding Jesus possesses in relating to what we are experiencing.
But,
As intense as the realization of his personal cost in fulfilling the plan is, Jesus adds a twist: not what I want, but what you want.
Think about this
God needed Jesus to suffer and pay a great price because it meant bringing all of humanity back into alignment with God’s plan.
Was God pleased that Jesus suffered?
No, God wasn’t pleased that Jesus suffered; he was (and is) happy that the heavy price bought an eternal human reward.
All of humanity now has the option to say yes to God and no to the devil.
The Apostle Paul said it this way.
“Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later.”
Romans 8:18 New Living Translation
The apostle is saying, you can be sure it is hard, but it doesn’t hold a candle to what will be revealed.
Is it possible (a rhetorical question) that the heartaches and hardships we face in this life are to allow some eternal reward for yourself, or (even better) for someone else?
The answer is, yes, of course it is possible.
The Old Testament prophet explains it like this.
“For as the sky soars high above earth, so the way I work surpasses the way you work, and the way I think is beyond the way you think.”
Isaiah 55:9 The Message
God did not take pleasure in seeing Jesus suffer, just like he doesn’t take pleasure in seeing you suffer, but he understands an eternal plan and purpose that justifies the suffering.
This is why the story of Jesus in the garden is so vital. He knew the plan, and yet asked the Father if there was another way because of the intense pain he experienced even before the actual suffering took place.
The idea of suffering isn’t something we comprehend, and Jesus understands that. However, he also understands the eternal value of your suffering.
Something else to consider
Jesus could have told the Father that he wasn’t going to go through with it.
Why?
Because as a human, he had been given that choice.
However, his willingness to surrender his will to that of the Father blessed all humanity. I suppose we will not comprehend everything the Father bestowed upon him for his act of obedient surrender.
Your willingness to surrender and deal with suffering means a blessing is being given, and you will have to wait until eternity to fully understand the extent of that blessing to those it was intended for, and that the Father freely gives to you.
The early chapters of the New Testament book of Revelation speak about blessings bestowed on those who are overcome.
In other words, the acts of faithful surrender were rewarded by the Father.
Speaking about the end of his life, the Apostle Paul said,
“This is the only race worth running. I’ve run hard right to the finish, believed all the way.
All that’s left now is the shouting – God’s applause! Depend on it, he’s an honest judge. He’ll do right not only by me, but by everyone eager for his coming.”
II Timothy 4:7-8 The Message
God the Father is faithful to the faithfully surrendered.
Understanding the Father’s will
The will of the Father is for eternal purposes, and he is faithful to fulfill his promises to his faithfully surrendered ones.
Jesus said it this way,
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.”
Matthew 7:21 New International Version
The call of the Spirit is going out across the land for light bearers and (wisdom-speaking) truth givers to bring the words of life to a lost and dying world—one person at a time.
The journey is exciting and scary, and I am thankful for everyone willing to follow along as I take it.