In Matt. 26:39 Jesus first prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me. Yet not as I will, but AS YOU WILL.” The cup of suffering would be the 18 hours of extreme agony that our Redeemer was about to face on the cross of Calvary
Secondly Jesus prayed in Matt. 26:42, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, MAY YOUR WILL BE DONE.” Hebrews 5:7 speaks about this, “In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to Him who was able to save Him from death, and He was heard BECAUSE of his reverence.”
Luke 22:43 tells us that Jesus was visited by an angel who strengthened Him. Jesus could not escape His hours of suffering, but He could and did rely on our heavenly Father to comfort and strengthen Him in His hours of need. Likewise, we sometimes cannot escape our difficulties, but we can and must pray, and ask our Father to strengthen us to manage whatever His plans and purposes are for us, even during hardships.
On the Cross, when Jesus underwent the most extreme suffering a person can experience, He relied upon the Father’s will so that we can all be saved when we surrender ourselves to Him. In Luke 23:24 we read that Jesus said about those who crucified Him, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”
Sometimes people DO know what they are doing when they harm us, like in unfair war situations or when others falsely accuse us, but even then, we need to forgive as Christ forgave.
Precious Saviour, Thank You that even thoughs your darkest hours on earth were extremely painful and agonizing, yet you DID accept that awful suffering to redeem us. Please forgive me for complaining during difficult situations, or when I wrestle to accept Father God’s will for me or struggle to forgive others. Please help me to humbly accept whatever Your will is for my life and future, in Your blessed Name I pray, Amen.
Myrtle Turunen