Day
One: Mark 14:32-36 “Then they came to a place named
Gethsemane, and He told His disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” He took Peter,
James, and John with Him, and He began to be deeply distressed and horrified.
Then He said to them, “My soul is swallowed up in sorrow—to the point of death.
Remain here and stay awake.” Then He went a little farther, fell to the ground,
and began to pray that if it were possible, the hour might pass from Him. And
He said, “Abba, Father! All things are possible for You. Take this cup away
from Me. Nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will.”
NOBODY VOLUNTEERS FOR SUFFERING. We do not like hurt or pain
very much. Typically most of us avoid pain at all cost. Generally, the only sufferings that
most of us endure are the sufferings thrust upon us, usually leaving us without
an option to face them. You may have been forced to face hurt or pain unwillingly
because of a divorce, breakup, death in the family, a friend letting you down,
or countless other ways, but volunteering for suffering? Most never have or will. But praise be to God, Jesus did.
Jesus Christ, our Savior, willingly suffered for us. He willingly endured the suffering of
the cross, knowing the physical pain that would accompany it and knowing the separation
and wrath coming from his Father in heaven. If anyone has ever been undeserving of suffering, it was
the Lord Jesus.
Yet he suffered voluntarily. With his death looming over Him in the Garden of
Gethsemane, He prayed for the Father to remove the cup of suffering if possible. But ultimately, His desire was for his
Father’s will to be done, even if it meant His own suffering. His suffering brought us life and
redeemed us.
Jesus laid down his life to the Father’s will.
If we belong to Christ, we too should willingly lay down our
lives to God’s will, even if suffering follows. Jesus warns that suffering will come to those who belong to
Him (Matt.10:22).Knowing this, we should still willingly
submit our will to God. Christ has shown us the way.
PAUSE AND REFLECT
▷▷When you think about “suffering” and your life, what comes to
mind?
▷▷Why was it important that Jesus endure suffering on our behalf?
▷▷Jesus
warns that suffering will come to those who belong to Him. What might that mean
for your life?
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