TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
“Abba, Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” Mark 14:36
Read: Mark 14:32-52
Listen: Mark 14
TODAY’S MESSAGE
It is Jesus’s last night before he will be executed. It appears to be agonizing. Jesus finds himself alone and overwhelmed. His closest friends can’t even muster up enough energy to support him. He’s headed for torture, shame and capital punishment. His body can hardly bear the weight of his duress. In Jesus’s heart-wrenching prayer, we see an honest conversation with the Father. He wishes there was another way but then says the decisive line, “Yet not what I will, but what you will.”
Jesus’s prayer serves as an inspiration to align our priorities with God’s. When asked how to talk to God, Jesus gives his disciples a model prayer that includes a similar line. He instructs them to pray, “Your will be done” (Matthew 6:10). Jesus knew the Father’s way was the right way. So even though what he was about to experience was hard, he trusted it was right. Praying “your will be done” is all about trust. When we are alone, afraid, overwhelmed, abandoned, betrayed or just plain tired—we can still trust God. He’s still good. His way is the right way and the best way for us.
IN YOUR CHAIR TIME TODAY
Identify a difficult situation or some type of uncertainty ahead of you. Tell God that you want his will to happen. Ask him to give you the strength to trust him.
2022 BIBLE MEMORY PRACTICE
Develop spiritual roots and tap in the power of God’s word by memorizing monthly a Bible verse! View previous verses at beyondtheweekend.org/biblememorypractice.
GALATIANS 5:22-23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Download a printable PDF of the BTW week here.
