"I thank you, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen." (Luther's Morning Prayer)
Day 104 - (Today’s Bible readings: Exodus 12:1-14; Psalm 116; 1 Corinthians 11:23-32; John 13:1-17)
NOT MY WILL, BUT...
And going a little farther, he fell on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. And he said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” (Mark 14:35-36 ESV)
Jesus was in agony that first Maundy Thursday. His bitter suffering that would lead to His innocent and cruel death had begun. His sweat was like drops of blood. The emotional and spiritual burden was almost unbearable. So Jesus prayed for relief. There are several important truths revealed here.
● Jesus truly suffered for us!
● God the Father’s plan for the salvation of sinful mankind would be fulfilled.
● We learn how to pray, “Yet not what I will, but what you will.”
This is exactly what He teaches us in the Lord’s prayer: “Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”
It goes against our selfish human nature to submit our will to someone other than ourselves. But look at how it turned out for Jesus,“who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:2)
The Father’s will is your salvation. Follow Him. Obey Him. Trust Him. Love Him.
Lord Jesus, thank You for drinking the bitter cup of suffering for my sake. Please help me to see the wisdom of yielding to the Father’s will in my life as well. Amen.
“See” you at the Communion rail today.
Pastor David Paape
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105 ), undergirds this three-year journey through the entire Old Testament once (the Psalms - twice yearly), and the New Testament twice. There will be daily readings from the O.T., Psalms and the N.T. Special days on the church calendar will be highlighted with appropriate readings. This calendar has been compiled by representatives of the Lutheran Church of Canada, the North American Lutheran Church and the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod. Please click this link for the daily reading calendar:
Then scroll down to 2022 Bible Reading Calendar and download it if you so wish. The “assigned” daily readings will appear on a daily basis in this blog. May the Lord bless your meditation upon His precious life-giving Word!
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