Have you ever asked your parents for something and they said no. Have you ever asked the teacher at school to allow you to do something and they said no. Have you ever asked God why did you allow my friend or loved one to go into a coma, and die. What did you do? Did you throw a temper tantrum, did you close the door to your room, did you go on strike with God by not attending church, stop tithing, or find something else to do. Many of us like being allowed to do whatever we want to do, but the challenge comes when we don’t get what we want. In our text today, Jesus gives us an example on how we should accept God’s answer when he says no to us.
I. Situation (36)
Jesus brings his disciples to a place called Gethsemane. Jesus is carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders. He knows that the cup of death is drawing near. He is heavy and burdened, and whenever we get heavy and burdened we need to go to a place where we can put it all in perspective. Jesus asked 8 disciples to sit at the bottom. My brothers and sisters we can’t tell everybody our problems. Jesus left the eight behind, and in this life there are some people we must leave behind to help deal with our situation.
II. Unselfish(37-39)
Notice that Jesus took Peter, James , and John with him. This was the third time that he specifically took them. There are some people in life that you feel close to that you can tell them your problems. Jesus didn’t have them there for a sounding board, they were there for support. Sometimes we don’t need people in our lives to say anything, just be there for support.
Jesus said to God" O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: Many times we ask God for some specific things, and say to him if it is possible bring our friend back, bring our family member back, or please allow me this thing. However, we should not be selfish in our asking, but notice that Jesus says not as I will, but as thou wilt. In other words Jesus says it doesn’t have to be like Burger King where I can have it my way, But Lord I want your will to be done.
III. Submissive
Notice that when Jesus came back to his close friends, they were asleep.All Jesus asked them to do was watch(1) stay alert, keep your eyes open, (2) watch and pray
(3) sleep on now. Many times satan has a sneak attack because we aren’t watching. The Bible says that Peter ,James, and John were asleep because they were tired. This says that even our close friends will let us down. There is only one friend and that is Jesus.
Jesus went on and accepted the will of God, which was to die for the sin of the world. His purpose was to redeem man back to God. Every time Jesus asked God for something, God always answered yes,(water into wine,feeding the five thousand,calming the storm)however this is the only time in scripture recorded where God said no. Jesus accepted what he had to do. There was a purpose and reason for God saying no. There is no other way to redeem man. Sometimes in life there is no other way to accomplish God’s will, than for us to just go through it. The bible says that all things work together for the good of them that love the Lord who are called upon his purpose. Bcause God said to Jesus there is no other way we have a chance to go to Heaven and be saved.
Last but not least, in around verse number 51, you find where Peter cut a soldier’s ear off. This says that Peter tried to fight a spiritual battle with a carnal weapon. We cannot fight nor understand things in our carnal mind’s. Unless God opens our minds, then we just won’t get it. The bible says trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not to thy own understanding, in all thy ways acknowledge him and he will direct thy paths. We must fight with the word of God, and understand that God in developing in us a ministry in accepting no.(purpose,plan,prize)
