Many decisions that ought to be taken are not taken due to one of the following reasons:
1. we try to rationalize the situation assuming that our finite and limited human minds has infinite comprehension and abilities or
2. we think of the consequences of the decision and are paralyzed for fear of life or fear of being ridiculed.
In today’s text, taken from Matthew 26:39, we will look at none other but Jesus Christ himself who chose to submit to the will of God NO MATTER WHAT.
As a backdrop to this account, Jesus is in an intense state of physical, emotional and spiritual anguish in the garden of Gethsemane, evident from his sweating of blood (clinically known as hematohidrosis), as he looks forward toward enduring the Cross as the final payment for sin and death of all mankind. As He realizes that his body and Spirit will be undergo excruciating agony, being broken and separated from God, for He who knew no sin became sin (2 Corinthians 5:21), He makes a statement of total surrender and submission when he exclaims – “O my Father (God), if it be possible, let this cup (of God’s wrath) pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.” In other words, Jesus was saying, not my will, but I will submit to yours, God the Father.
Despite any rationalization or thought on the consequences of his act of love and sacrifice, to die for all mankind, he still chose to totally submit to God’s will, NO MATTER WHAT. His act of total surrender to God made God exalt Him high and earned Him The Name that is above all names, The Name to which every knee will bow and confess that Jesus Christ is Sovereign Lord. (Philippians 2)
Points to ponder:
- What is God asking you and me to submit? Can we say, not my will, but I will submit totally to yours, LORD?
- Can we take the step to totally surrender and submit, without rationalizing or thinking of the consequences, NO MATTER WHAT?
