“…take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt. (Mark 14:33-36)
As I mentioned in Take it Away Part 1, I found the trilogy the Lord of the Rings by J.R. Tolkien to have a great parallel to Christ in the Garden. Just as the character Frodo Baggins was given a burden to carry that no other could carry for him, Jesus could not ultimately give to another to carry out for Him. Not my will but thy will be done was the prayer of Jesus.WHOSE WILL, WILL YOU FOLLOW?
Back in the Garden of Eden by his actions, Adam said not thy will but mine be done. Adam’s focus was that the will of man was more important than the will of God. God speaks through the prophet Isaiah and tells us, “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.” This is why Jesus prayed, “take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt.” In looking to the Scriptures it appears that God calls each one of us to have a Garden of Gethsemane experience where we make the decision and pray, “…not my will, but Thy will be done.” Once again in His humanity, Jesus’ will was not to go to the cross, which was not the will of His Father. Think of what is popularly called the Lord’s Prayer, “…Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done.” When you have your Garden of Gethsemane experience and pray Thy will be done, you are also saying my will be gone! When Jesus said “…take this cup” he expressed His will, when God would not take it away, that was God’s will. Have you ever asked God if He wanted you to carry your burden instead of asking Him to just take it away? Have you ever asked Him to show you perhaps how He is using the burden in your life to prefect Christ like character in you? What is the process of having my mindset altered in this regards? How is this done?
CONFORMING TO HIS WILL
Paul penned the words, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” We are to present our bodies, our lives to the Lord as a LIVING SACRIFICE. In the Old Testament, the sacrifice was killed, however here we are called to be a living sacrifice. We are to volitionally lay down our lives for our Lord. At times that will mean carrying that burden that is placed upon us, the very burden we desire God to take away. Paul tells us the key is not to be conformed to the world, but to be transformed by renewing our minds. If marriage is tough, the world says take it away, end the relationship, but God says stay in their, hang on, work it out because you made a promise. When Christ was born, Herod wanted him killed (taken away), God wanted His Son to live and one day die for our sins. God’s will is revealed in His Word. Do you read God’s Word daily? You may have said, “God take away some of my responsibilities so I can spend more time with you.” This is a noble prayer, but perhaps you see, God has not removed your responsibilities, and still desires time with you! Allow God’s Word to change the very way in which you think and process. Then you may pray, “Take it away,” knowing that God may leave it in your hands until your mission is accomplished. Be encouraged in the Lord today; seek His will and His way and not your own. Share your faith with an unsaved person today!
Until the nets are filled…
Blessings, Pastor Phil <><
He Has Magnified His Word 