The Grace of Letting Go
Matthew 26:36-46
Most Christians believe that the Jesus prayed it was serene prayer, yet in Matthew 26 we see the fully human Jesus fall face down on to the ground. He prayed passionately as he was physically affected by the gravity of His situation.
Jesus was without sin and knew God would not abandon Him, but Jesus knew what He has to endure. He has to take the poisoned cup of sin and death.
Jesus' desire to avoid the cross was justified. It was not His selfish nature which Jesus wanted to avoid the cross. Jesus never showed a selfish nature at all. Jesus loved and gave freely of himself. Jesus was brave and faced enemies constantly. Jesus was not a coward or weak.
What Jesus has to face on the cross was so much. The sin of the world and death is not something to take lightly.
Yet, Jesus confessed the goodness of God the Father. He knew submitting to God's will was the best decision. This was not some blind obedience to God. Jesus knew what was waiting for him and still submitted to the will of His father.
We see at the end of His praying, Jesus is calm. Jesus suffered through the prayer. He confessed that what He faced was unbearable. The crushing fear and dread left Him. Jesus was calm and brave at the end.
The true power of prayer did not change the situation, but it changed the person. Jesus still faced the unjust trials and unjust punishment. Jesus was better prepared to face His situation after His praying.
It is not wrong to pray for change. God wants to hear our thoughts and cares. He wants us to honestly come to Him and say, "That your situation is too much."
Your situation may not change, but we may understand that God's goodness is real and His ways are best. God will give you the strength to endure. God will transform us into people with fully transformed hearts. God will allow us to overcome
Let us ask for forgiveness for our pride and let go of our desire to control our lives while we surrender all to follow Jesus.
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