Take This Cup

 "And the Word was made flesh"(John 1:14)... and endured pain and suffering just as we do. There is nothing Jesus does not understand.  The power of Christ is that he rose from the dead taking on the sins of you, and me, and the entire world.  But before that, He too wrestled with plans God had for Him.

Read Mark 14:32-42. 
32 They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” 33 He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. 34 “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death,” he said to them. “Stay here and keep watch.”
35 Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. 36 “Abba, Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.”
37 Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Simon,”he said to Peter, “are you asleep? Couldn’t you keep watch for one hour?38 Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
39 Once more he went away and prayed the same thing. 40 When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. They did not know what to say to him.
41 Returning the third time, he said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough! The hour has come. Look, the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. 42 Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!”

When a struggle comes into your life, what’s your initial reaction?  
Has it changed over the years?
Is it easy or hard for you to pray during a tough time? Explain.
What does it look like to prayerfully submit to God’s will?

Consider Luke 22:41-44. 
41 He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, 42 “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” 43 An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. 44 And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.

An angel appeared and strengthened Him. It may seem like God didn’t answer, that prayer, but He did- in the way that led to Jesus’ resurrection and cleansing of the sins of the world.  The angel was God’s response to Jesus’ prayer- there is no other way, but I will help you. Here is my angel to strengthen you. God helped him by giving strength to finish the final and most important act of obedience that He was sent for.

Lord God, give us the strength to endure the cup you don't take away and the trust that your will is better than ours!