Matthew 26

Devotional:
He went on a little farther and bowed with his face to the ground, praying, “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” Then Jesus left them a second time and prayed, “My Father! If this cup cannot be taken away unless I drink it, your will be done.” (Matt. 26:39, 42)

Jesus is in emotional agony as he falls on his face and cries out to the Father. He knows what awaits him if he drinks the cup of God’s wrath: he will bear the crushing weight of all the world’s sin and will suffer the most horrific death imaginable. After fervent and repeated prayer, however, he senses the finality of the Father’s decision…and willingly accepts it. In so doing, Jesus sets the perfect example of obedience and submission to God’s will. Lord, help us to set aside our own will and to follow your Son’s example of obedience by humbly submitting ourselves to your will. In Jesus’s name. Amen.

Pray it:
Jesus, thank you for the immense suffering you experienced on my behalf. Help me to remember your love and example so that I too can pray “not as I will but as you will.” Amen.

Share it:
Who is someone you can share a verse or thought from this passage with?