Bible Devotions for Living

The scene in Gethsemane the night before the crucifixion shows how Jesus was, in His flesh, dreading going to the cross.

³⁶ Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and He told the disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” ³⁷ Taking along Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, He began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed. ³⁸ Then He said to them, “My soul is swallowed up in sorrow —to the point of death. Remain here and stay awake with Me.” ³⁹ Going a little farther, He fell facedown and prayed, “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup pass from Me. (Mt 26:36-39)

Jesus was deeply distressed over what He was going to go through the next day to pay for your sin. He knew He would experience the brutality of man and the Father’s wrath. Even though it was a cold night (Jn 18:18), Jesus was in such anguish that He was sweating so much that it poured off Him like drops of blood falling (Lk 22:44).

Even with all that inner turmoil, Jesus forced Himself to go to the cross. The rest of the scene shows some important points:

³⁶ Then Jesus  … prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” … a great crowd with swords and clubs … came up and laid hands on Jesus and seized him. ⁵¹ And behold, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his ear. ⁵² Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place. For all who take the sword will perish by the sword. ⁵³ Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels? ⁵⁴ But how then should the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must be so?” (Mt 26:36-54)

Jesus could have stopped the crucifixion

Jesus could have called on the Father to call off the crucifixion, and the Father would have done it (Mt 26:53). Never forget that Jesus voluntarily laid down His life (Jn 10:17-18). He gave Himself up for you (Gal 2:20; Eph 5:2; Ti 2:14). Jesus could have given into His fleshly feelings and dread of what He was facing and called the whole crucifixion off, and the Father would have rescued Him.

Even though that was an option, Jesus didn’t take it. Instead, He fought through His feelings and went to the cross. The passage above shows us why Jesus did it.

The reasons Jesus didn’t call off the crucifixion

Did you catch the two things in the passage above that drove Jesus to overcome His feelings to go to the cross?

They were His desire for the Father’s will over His own (Mt 26:39) and His desire for God’s Word to be fulfilled and followed (Mt 26:54). The Father’s will was more important to Jesus that His own fleshly will and following God’s Word was more important to Jesus than following His feelings. Is that how you act and feel?

Summary

Jesus could have called off the crucifixion if He wanted to but He didn’t. Even though in His flesh He was deeply distressed and filled with sorrow over what He was going to face He did not stop it from happening. He moved forward with it because God’s will and Word were more important to Him than His own fleshly will and feelings.

You need to have the same attitude of Jesus and put God’s will and Word ahead of your own will or feelings. When God’s will or Word conflict with your will of feelings … God’s will and Word must win. God’s will and Word should matter more to you than your own will or feelings. For example, if you are afraid to share the Gospel with the unsaved you should anyway because God doesn’t want anyone to be condemned and He commands us to spread the Gospel. If you don’t want to love your enemies, you must because God said you should. If you really desire to sin you must resist that feeling because God wants you to be holy. God’s Word and will are more important than your will, feelings, and emotion.

Examine yourself

Does God’s will and Word matter to you more than your own will or feelings?

When your will or feelings are against God’s will or Word, do you go follow your feelings or God’s will and Word?

Jesus chose to die rather than God’s Word be broken. How passionate are you about keeping God’s Word?

How can you combat your feelings and will when they conflict with God? What did Jesus do?

God’s will and Word matter more than your will and desire. Is that how you live?

I delight in Your commands, which I love. (Ps 119:47)

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. ¹⁰ Your kingdom come, your will be done … (Mt 6:9-10)

³⁶ Then Jesus  … prayed, saying, “My Father … not as I will, but as you will.” 

¹²⁷ Since I love Your commands more than gold, even the purest gold, ¹²⁸ I carefully follow all Your precepts and hate every false way. (Ps 119:127-128)