#JESUS2020 - Daily DevotionalsSample

This is perhaps the most important evening of His life so far. Jesus is enjoying fellowship with His disciples, whom He now calls friends. Soon He will leave with them. He feels, suspects, knows what is in store for Him this night and the next day. His disciples, however, do not really understand what He is saying. Nevertheless, they feel this deep peace, this security that Jesus radiates. After Jesus has celebrated the Passover with them, they leave together. They go to the Garden of Gethsemane. In His time of prayer with His Father, Jesus struggles with the decision to lay down His life for the guilt of all mankind. He probably remembers the words of His Father when, at His baptism, a voice from heaven sounded out, "You are my beloved Son, in you I am well pleased". Or, He may recall the words of John the Baptist, "Behold, this is the Lamb of God who bears the sin of the world". He struggles with the question of whether there might not be another way for the cup of suffering to pass by Him. But the promise of His father and His deep trust in His Father's omnipotence and justice gives Him the strength to say these all-decisive words, "Yet not my will, but yours be done." With these words, He places His life completely into God’s hands. He trusts 100% that God is almighty and good. His body and soul already feel the burden of these words. He sweats drops of blood. He feels the pressure, the burden, the fear. Yet He remains firmly grounded in His Father's love. He makes this decision on His own free will, out of love for you.

ACTION STEP:

Give God your fears, worries, and insecurities. Decide to trust God in everything. Even if you do not always understand His ways. Speak out the most decisive words, "Not my will, but yours be done."

Daniel Kalupner, ICF Nürnberg