Luke 22:39-53
March Memory Verse: "For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost." Luke 19:10 NIV
Read: Luke 22:39-53
As we read this passage, two things stick out to me:
1. Jesus prayed during His most desperate time.
Jesus knew what was about to happen. It had been the plan before God created the world. Jesus was going to be whipped 39 times, have his beard pulled out, have a crown of thorns put on His head, and then be crucified till He died. He knew what was coming, and so, what did He do?
He looked to His Heavenly Father. He went to God. And He didn’t just go to God and then turn to figure out what to do next. Instead, it says He prayed “more fervently”.
How often in life do we go to God when things get difficult? I know for many of us, we will go to God when things get really tough. But most often, we will first try to figure things out on our own and then go to God. How foolish we are. Our first instinct should be to go to God. Run to our Heavenly Father because He loves us.
2. Jesus went willingly.
Verse 42 gets me every time: “Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.”
Jesus says to God, “If there is any other way, let’s do it, but if not, I will go.” And Jesus’ prayer was answered because in verses 47-53 we see Jesus be betrayed and arrested.
But Jesus knew there was no other way. He knew He was going to have to give His life for us. I think that is what makes the Cross that much more special. Jesus went willingly to die for you, me, and the entire world.
Discussion Questions:
How will you start running to God during desperate times?
What would it look like to live in humble obedience to God as Jesus did?
By: Brice Stockton
Read: Luke 22:39-53
As we read this passage, two things stick out to me:
1. Jesus prayed during His most desperate time.
Jesus knew what was about to happen. It had been the plan before God created the world. Jesus was going to be whipped 39 times, have his beard pulled out, have a crown of thorns put on His head, and then be crucified till He died. He knew what was coming, and so, what did He do?
He looked to His Heavenly Father. He went to God. And He didn’t just go to God and then turn to figure out what to do next. Instead, it says He prayed “more fervently”.
How often in life do we go to God when things get difficult? I know for many of us, we will go to God when things get really tough. But most often, we will first try to figure things out on our own and then go to God. How foolish we are. Our first instinct should be to go to God. Run to our Heavenly Father because He loves us.
2. Jesus went willingly.
Verse 42 gets me every time: “Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.”
Jesus says to God, “If there is any other way, let’s do it, but if not, I will go.” And Jesus’ prayer was answered because in verses 47-53 we see Jesus be betrayed and arrested.
But Jesus knew there was no other way. He knew He was going to have to give His life for us. I think that is what makes the Cross that much more special. Jesus went willingly to die for you, me, and the entire world.
Discussion Questions:
How will you start running to God during desperate times?
What would it look like to live in humble obedience to God as Jesus did?
By: Brice Stockton
6 Comments
How will you start running to God during desperate times?
Thanks for the commentary Brice. As I reflected on question one it occurred to me that this may be the only time some Christians reach out to God in prayer. Many of us tend to ignore God when times are good and everything is going great. Have you ever heard someone say, “I’ve reached the end of my rope”? Some treat prayer as a last resort when all their education and wisdom has failed. Jesus desires to walk with us daily in the storms of life as well as the mountain top experiences. The best way I know to stay on course is spending time in God’s word and praying daily. Then when crisis points come in life we simply turn to our best friend and pour our hearts out in prayer just as Jesus did.
What would it look like to live in humble obedience to God as Jesus did?
If everyone in the world who professes to be a Christian did this our culture would change over night. I can’t control what others do but I can set an example in the little part of the world in which God has placed me. At Christmas we often sing, “Let there be peace on Earth, and let it begin in me”. Let us all begin doing this March 30, 2021 and see what happens. Looking forward to Good Friday & Easter with my church family.
(v.45)...they were found sleeping from sorrow. I may not like to admit it, but I can relate to the tiredness from such sorrow. It has a sweet and subtle appeal to the heart. But the promise for strength does not deliver through sleep.
(V.46)...get up and pray. This is a tender appeal to the believer and it comes in a critical moment of life. If we are honest this is where all our failures are found to nest, and Jesus encourages us to pray that we not enter temptation.
I agree Brice. We’re either in a desperate time, just came out of one, or one is right around the corner. I want to prepare by seeking the Lord. Great word today
It so interesting that Luke being a physician accounts Jesus sweating blood. This is an actual thing that can happen if a person is under enough stress. It highlights that Jesus was human just as much as he was God. The natural fear of the physical, emotional and spiritual pain he was about to endure was 100% real.
So often we only go to God during the hard times. I think it’s those easier times or in the little difficult things that we rely on our own power to solve the issues, but only when things get too big do we go to God. That’s not the case with Jesus. He modeled consistent time with God, and we should follow that. Even though he was very stressed over what was about to happen, he still prayed for God’s will. That kind of attitude can only come if you are consistently speaking with and listening to God. Otherwise, we will only pray for the “cup to pass” and not for God’s “will be done.”
Wow! Powerful blog message today!