“AS YOU WILL!”

 Matthew 26:36-46                         (ESV)

JESUS Prays in Gethsemane

“[36] Then JESUS went with them (HIS disciples) to a place called Gethsemane, and HE said to HIS disciples, “Sit here, while I go over there and pray.” [37] And taking with HIM Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, HE began to be sorrowful and troubled. [38] Then HE said to them, “MY soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and WATCH WITH ME.” [39] And going a little farther HE fell on HIS face and prayed, saying, “MY FATHER, if it be possible, let this cup pass from ME; nevertheless, NOT as I will, but “AS YOU WILL”.” [40] And HE came to the disciples and FOUND THEM SLEEPING. And HE said to Peter, “So, could you not watch with ME one hour? [41] Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” [42] Again, for the second time, HE went away and prayed, “MY FATHER, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, YOUR will be done.” [43] And again HE came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. [44] So, leaving them again, HE went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words again. [45] Then HE came to the disciples and said to them, “Sleep and take your rest later on. See, the hour is at hand, and the SON of MAN is betrayed into the hands of sinners. [46] Rise, let us be going; see, MY betrayer is at hand.””

JESUS CHRIST IS GOD IN THE FLESH!  However, HE had to journey through “this world” with “restrained” POWER to fulfill HIS MISSION of providing SALVATION for my sinful life!  JESUS had to experience total rejection from EVERYONE who professed to love HIM to complete HIS MISSION on Calvary.  THE PLAN of SALVATION was about to be completed, and NOTHING was going to stop it, NOTHING!!!

Peter and the two sons of Zebedee (James and John) were probably the closest to JESUS, yet even they were SLEEPING when HE had specifically requested that they WATCH WITH ME!  And when JESUS came back THEY WERE ASLEEP!  HIS most trusted followers were ASLEEP when HE needed them most.  How could HE trust them most when they were so drawn to earthly desires?  THE PLAN of SALVATION had to be completed, and NOBODY could interfere, not even Peter….the rock!!!

One might imagine that THE CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSES would have done everything possible to avoid the next few days?  But THE PLAN demanded a PERFECT SACRIFICE and THIS was the ONLY WAY to accomplish that end!  THE CREATOR told HIS FATHER “AS YOU WILL”, KNOWING that HE was going to pay an UNIMAGINABLE price!!  Peter, James and John slept while THE LAMB OF GOD was led to slaughter, because THE PLAN had to be fulfilled!!!