This Cup

2 Samuel 17; Psalms 71; Matthew 26 

“’Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.’ He went away a second time and prayed, ‘My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.’”

Matthew 26:41, 42

Jesus’ last hours before his crucifixion were agonizing as he wrestled in prayer for both his own path to the cross and the faithfulness of his disciples. The cup of suffering and redemption that Christ drank was in fulfillment of the third Passover cup he had drunk with his disciples at the Last Supper. We, too, as disciples of Christ, have a cup of suffering to drink as we walk the path of denying ourselves, taking up our cross, and following Christ. Our bodies are weak, even when our spirit is willing to follow Jesus. We, too, must develop the discipline to “watch and pray” so we will not fall into the temptation of self-indulgence, self-preservation, and self-centered living. “Not my will, but your will be done”, must be our daily prayer.

“Lord Jesus, “not my will but your will be done” this day, for your glory.”