Today is Holy Thursday or Maundy Thursday, a day Christians commemorate the Passover Meal Jesus ate with his disciples before His crucifixion. It is also the day that Jesus went to the Mount of Olives and anguished about what was to come.
Luke 22: 39-44 says:
"Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. On reaching the place, he said to them, 'Pray that you will not fall into temptation.' He withdrew about a stone's throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, 'Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.' An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground."
When I think about this day, I don't usually picture the last supper, although the symbolism and love He showed in that meal is momentous. My thoughts always land on Jesus in the garden, sweating blood and truly anguishing over his upcoming death.
And He says, "Not my will, but Yours be done."
Jesus set the ultimate example for how we should live our lives. No self rule. No being "god" of our own existence. Fully leaning on the love and guidance of the Father. Your will God. Your Way. Not what I want, but what You want.
This kind of surrender can only be birthed in faith. Do I truly believe that God exists and that He loves me and has my best in mind? Is God truly FOR me?
My answer is YES! Like that old song says, "I have decided to follow Jesus." I believe. I look at Christ in that garden on the Mount of Olives and I am grateful that He showed me the way. As He does each day.
Not my will, but Yours be done. Painful, Challenging, Rewarding.
Thank you Jesus for that Thursday long ago. And for today.
