Personal Gethsemanes
Prior to the cross, Jesus went to a garden called Gethsemane. There, as He faced the horrors of what was to come on the cross, He prayed, "Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me."
What was that cup that Jesus was recoiling from? I believe it was the cup of God's wrath, which He would drink for all of us. The judgment of God that should have come upon me instead came on Him.
He then prayed, "Not My will, but Yours be done."
We will all face our own "Gethsemanes" in life. By that I mean, a time...
When life is not making any sense.
When your problems seem too great to bear.
When you are seemingly overwhelmed.
When you feel like you just can't go on another day.
There is a point where we have to say something that is very important to God. And that is the same thing Jesus said: "Not my will, but Yours be done."
Much is said about the cross (and rightly so), but keep in mind, here in the Garden of Gethsemane we see the decision that took Him to the cross was agonizingly made!
It is interesting that sin began in a garden. And the commitment to bear that sin was also in a garden.
In Eden, Adam sinned. In Gethsemane, Jesus conquered.
In Eden, Adam hid himself. In Gethsemane, our Lord boldly presented Himself.
In Eden, the sword was drawn. In Gethsemane, it was sheathed.
Jesus did this all for us.