When Fear Knocks: Choosing God's Will in Gethsemane by Pastor Paul Becker

 Matthew 26:36-39

When we daily seek to follow Jesus, we understand that we no longer control our plans and decisions. Like Jesus, we aim to fulfill the will of our Heavenly Father. However, we often struggle to follow Him fully, as other desires can pull us away, leading to anxiety and confusion. Jesus is acquainted with our experience.

Seeing Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, His humanity is fully displayed.  Matthew writes in 26:37-38: "He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, 'My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.'"

We see two aspects of His humanity on display here: 1) His emotional state and 2) His need for trusted and beloved friends to be with Him.  There is something for us to learn here. First, we can "feel" our feelings and name them by name.  Second, we should resist the temptation to privatize our struggles. When we do this, we cut off the bonds of fellowship and prayer available to us through other followers of Christ. When these bonds are untapped, the body of Christ loses an opportunity to grow in strength and spiritual fruitfulness. Beloved, when you face the "dark nights of your souls," follow Jesus by owning your emotions and requesting companionship. And if you don't know who to call upon to pray, seek out a Pastor and the Elders of your church. (James 5:14-16)

Jesus' divinity is evident in Matthew 26:39. He openly prayed to God the Father, saying, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will."  In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus shows us how to handle hard spiritual decisions. By praying and submitting to God's will, we gain the divine strength to choose God's way over our own desires. In Luke 22:33-34, we read, "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." Pray earnestly, not casually.  Pray daily, not occasionally. Your prayers will have God’s power.

Though we have given our attention to Jesus' emotions, needs, words and actions, what had Jesus' attention? His attention was on the cup. So, what is in the cup? God's wrathful justice for all who break His laws. Be careful now. Don't think for one second that you are good enough to escape God's wrath. God's Word declares:

• For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Rom 3:23)

• For the wages of sin is death (Rom 6:23)

The good news is that Jesus left the Garden of Gethsemane with the resolve to take your deserved place in God's wrath. Jesus drank the cup of wrath on the cross of Calvary. It is a free gift. Receive it by confessing with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe that God raised him from the dead. Through faith in Him, you are saved. (Rom 10:9)

When you face fears and struggle with choosing God's will, rest in God's promise of your eternal salvation. Fear nothing. Follow Jesus. You are His. 

It's a great day to live the Gospel!

God willing, we hope to see you on Sundays!