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If you are able to, you are invited to kneel down as you read these passages.
He came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives; and the disciples followed him. When he reached the place, he said to them, “Pray that you may not come into the time of trial.” Then he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, knelt down, and prayed, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me; yet, not my will but yours be done.” Then an angel from heaven appeared to him and gave him strength. In his anguish he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down on the ground. When he got up from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping because of grief, and he said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray that you may not come into the time of trial."
Luke 22:39-46
Then he came to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? See, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Get up, let us be going. See, my betrayer is at hand.”
Matthew 26:45-46
Reflect
Jesus knew all the pain and suffering he was about to experience. Can you sense his anguish? Do you feel his struggle? Yet he still says “not my will, but yours be done”.
Jesus’ sacrifice wasn’t a spur of the moment decision. He deliberately chose to take the journey to the cross – in spite of the great cost.
Is there an area of your life where you need to make a choice to love and sacrifice – even if it comes with a cost?
