Jesus Stepping In

Jesus Stepping In
“Not what I will, but what You will."  Mark 14:36

Here’s an interesting window into Jesus’ life while living on the earth. He was fast approaching the time when He would be arrested, convicted, and crucified. While in a solitary place, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible, the hour might pass from him. “Abba, Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” Mark 14:35,36
Did Jesus want to avoid the mission God set before Him? No, He was just feeling the tremendous strain of the burden which He was shouldering and the events about to unfold. But He clearly says He wants to accomplish His mission. Elsewhere in John 4:34, Jesus indicates that His mission in life is to do what God wants Him to do. Jesus said His purpose was “to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.”
Jesus was committed to His mission and in so doing He was submitting to His Father’s plan in heaven. What are the differences between committing and submitting? We do both in our daily lives. We commit to accomplishing a task, paying back a loan, being at a certain place at a certain time. We may submit to the laws of our land, job expectations, a loving and trusting relationship.

In our human frailty, we sometimes commit and not follow through for reasons legitimate or not. We sometimes resist submitting, possibly for selfish reasons or for want of control. Fortunately for us, Jesus stepped into His commitment and willingly submitted to His Father, for us! And because He loves us, He also empowers us!

“For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God. He has saved us and called us to a holy life – not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.”  2 Timothy 1:7-10

4832 Ponderings - Fill in the blanks:
By faith I know ______
Acting in faith, I ______

“Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit.”  Psalm 147:5