Meditations on Jesus' Last Prayer



<A HREF="garden1.mid">[Play Sound]</A> You are hearing the song
"In the Garden".




    The Gospel According to Luke


    Chapter 22: 39-44

    39 And he came out, and went, as he was wont, to the mount of Olives; and his disciples also followed him .
    40 And when he was at the place, he said unto them, "Pray that ye enter not into temptation."
    41 And he was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed,
    42 Saying, "Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done."
    43 And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.
    44 And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.



Doesn't reading this Scripture passage amaze you?

Sadly, for many Christians, they have heard/read this passsage so many times, that it no longer has the impact it once did. It is one more part of "the old, old, story".

We, perhaps, take it too much for granted and in do soing so, possibly fail to recieve all the blessing that God has for us in this incredible passage.

Things we must consider as we read/meditate on this passage:

    1)While it is true that when Jesus was fully divine, as well as fully human, Jesus had never used Hid divinity to ease His way....this was His choice!

    2) Jesus, being fully human, was quite aware of the, humilation, agony, and abandondment He was about to face....

    3) Most of the people who were about to destroy Him, could justify their actions by quoting the Scriptures and the secular Law. Jesus was a part of a very dangerous, unpopular, and what appeared to be an "ungodly" minority.

    4) Then, and now, few people would fully appreciate what Jesus was about to do.

What we must seek to understand in this scene, is not "WHY?", but "HOW?"

How, in spite of all was Jeusus able,to pray: "nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.

A Prayer:
Jesus, I would pray to my Father, even as you did: "nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done..... . Remove all prejudice, fear, hatred, self-righteousness, and/or anything else in my heart that would prevent me from meaning what I pray.

Fill me with your presence, that my will, and the will of God may become one. Amen.

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