March 3, 2018 - AS YOU WILL

Day 62 - (Today’s Bible readings: Genesis 44; Psalm 58; Matthew 26:36–56)

And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.”
(Matthew 26:39 ESV)

In the garden of Gethsemane that first Maundy Thursday, Jesus’ suffering began. Jesus is God, therefore He is omniscient (all knowing). He knew the horrors of damnation that His Father was planning to heap on Him as He hung on Calvary’s cross. He calls out to His Father, God the Father, seeking relief. But look at His final conclusion: “nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.”

Thank God, Jesus obeyed His Father’s will! His holy precious blood and His innocent suffering and death were the payment for our sins. Jesus obeyed and we believers are saved!

“As you will.”  What appropriate words for us to utter! They are words of trust and reliance on God.

The hymn writer expresses this attitude toward life with these words:

   1. If thou but suffer God to guide thee,
        And hope in Him through all thy ways,
        He’ll give thee strength whate’er betide thee,
        And bear thee through the evil days.
        Who trusts in God’s unchanging love
        Builds on the rock that nought can move.

    7. Sing, pray, and keep His ways unswerving,
        Perform thy duties faithfully,
        And trust His Word, though undeserving,
        Thou yet shalt find it true for thee!
        God never yet forsook at need
        The soul that trusted Him indeed.
(“If Thou but Suffer God to Guide Thee,” Lutheran Service Book, 2006, #750)

Dearest Lord Jesus, thank You for obeying Your Father’s will and going through the agony of damnation for me. And heavenly Father, may the words “as You will” be on my lips every day for the rest of my life. Amen.

“See” you in church tomorrow!

Pastor David Paape

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105 ), is the theme for this three-year journey through the entire Old Testament once (the Psalms - twice yearly), and the New Testament twice. There will be daily readings form 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:
https://blogs.lcms.org/2017/lcms-lcc-and-nalc-compile-three-year-schedule-of-daily-bible-readings  
Then scroll down to 2018 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 you meditation upon His precious life-giving Word!