KNOW JESUS, KNOW HIS STORY: 8-Day Easter Reading Planਨਮੂਨਾ

Day 5: Gethsemane

In Matthew 26:36-45, we find ourselves in a deeply personal and intense moment in Jesus’ life. After sharing a meal with His disciples, Jesus heads to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray. It’s here that He reveals His heavy heart to His closest friends, expressing, "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death." Jesus knows the agony He is about to face on the cross, and it weighs heavily on Him.

But amid this deep struggle, Jesus does something remarkable: He surrenders His will to the Father. He prays, "Yet not as I will, but as you will," showing us what actual submission looks like. His words reflect a profound trust in the Father’s plan, even though it involves immense suffering. This moment is crucial; it highlights the depth of Jesus' obedience and His willingness to follow the Father’s path, no matter how painful.

Jesus’ statement, “The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak,” resonates with many of us. We often yearn to follow God’s will, yet our human nature can hold us back, overwhelmed by fear and doubt. In Gethsemane, Jesus teaches us how to navigate our moments of weakness by leaning into prayer, surrendering, and trusting God’s greater plan.

When life feels too much, we can see Jesus as our guide. He confronted a moment of despair but surrendered rather than clinging to His own desires. Instead of taking the easy way out, He obeyed, believing God's plan leads to true victory and peace.

As followers of Christ, we’re encouraged to adopt this same attitude of surrender. Romans 12:1 reminds us to offer our bodies as living sacrifices, pleasing to God—this is what genuine worship looks like. Jesus’ surrender in Gethsemane invites us to surrender our lives, desires, and will to God, trusting He knows what is best for us.

So, take a moment to think about Jesus' profound example of surrender in Gethsemane. When life gets challenging, do you resist what God wants, or can you trust His plan, even when it feels difficult?

What areas in your life might you need to surrender to God, just as Jesus did? Are there fears or doubts holding you back from fully trusting Him? Remember, Jesus showed us that surrendering isn’t about weakness; it's a powerful act of faith that recognises God’s ways are higher than ours.

Know Him More:

1. Pray for Strength: Take a moment to connect with God in prayer. Open your heart and surrender your desires, asking for the strength to trust Him completely, especially during challenging times.
2. Watch and Pray: Carve out little pockets of time to pause and reflect throughout your day. Use these moments to pray, seek clarity and peace as you navigate your journey, and strive to follow His guidance.