Good morning, friends.
Our verse for today comes from Matthew 26:39, “He went a little further and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, ‘O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.'”
Nevertheless. Isn’t it amazing that the whole of Christendom hinges on that one word? Jesus is praying to God Almighty about the cross, and He starts by asking God if there might be another way for man to be reconciled to Him. His heart, His body, and His soul are feeling the weight of the world, and He comes to His Father looking for relief. But the relief He finds is resting in the will of God. Jesus, even as He is preparing for the night of beatings and the morning on the cross, is not so distressed as to abandon God’s will and take the apparently easier road. But imagine if He had. Imagine if He had said “because” rather than “nevertheless.” “Let this cup pass because these people don’t deserve forgiveness and fellowship.” Or what if He had said “so?” “Let this cup pass so that I don’t have to go through the horror that awaits me.” Or it could have been “until.” “Let this cup pass until just one person lives a life worthy of Me dying for.” Think if He had said “and.” “Let this cup pass and give these people everything they deserve.”
No, seeking comfort in the will of God was definitely the better choice. And it makes us realize how we should be so overwhelmed with worship and praise for a God who would kill His Son for us. But instead, our commitment and faithfulness hinge on other words. Like “already.” “Let someone else serve in that area for God, I’ve already done my time.” Or maybe it’s “later.” “I’ll chip in and help out later, when I’m not so busy with all this other stuff.” Or it could be “but.” “I was going to do that, but I never felt like God was calling me in that area.” We can relate to these and a thousand other excuses, can’t we? But who will have the ego to stand before God Himself in heaven and pull out his list of reasons why not? Who will have a good enough answer for God so that He will say, “Yeah, that’s right. I see your point.”? Who will stand before Jesus and try to say more than “nevertheless”?
As we seek Him today, ask God to give you victory over one area that you are holding back from Him. Find that one word in your vocabulary that needs to be nailed to the cross.
Have a great Tuesday.
#4 Rich Holt
Dad of Ripken, Koy, TrishaJean, Samantha, Kakie Holiday and Raleigh
Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them.
