Lessons from the GardenSample

The strength of submission

After returning to the three and finding them asleep again, Jesus goes back and prays the second prayer again to the Father. And when He returns to Peter, James, and John again, He tells them to, “Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!”

In the short time from when Jesus arrived at the garden to now, Jesus has gone from emotionally overwhelmed with what He is about to face – beside Himself with grief – to rallying His disciples to face the reality of His impending arrest.

As Jesus has spent time with the Father, what happens? He gains strength. He goes from being consumed by the immense suffering and crushing He was facing to a determination to see the Father’s will be done.

But in this narrative, did you notice something pretty central?

Jesus’ initial prayer was not answered.

Did you get that? What Jesus asked for when He began praying was denied. Instead, it was replaced with the strength and resolve to see the Father’s will done.

How many times have you prayed, and it has seemed like the Father turned a deaf ear to you? I think it comes from a view that God is somehow our genie who is supposed to do what we ask. The reality is God alone is perfect in wisdom and understanding, and He alone knows what is best.

God didn’t answer Jesus’ initial request because it fell out of the scope of His will. But He was heard. In fact, we are told in Hebrews 5:7:

During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, He offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the One who could save HIm from death, and He was heard because of His reverent submission.

Jesus was heard because He was ready and willing to submit to God’s will. And while His “fervent cries and tears” weren’t answered the way He had initially prayed, He was given the strength and resolve to see the Father’s will done.

And the same is true for you and me.

There are times when you and I will go to the Father with a plea, perhaps out of anguish. And just like Jesus, our prayer needs to allow room for God to do what is in His plan. Resting in His perfect goodness, you and I can with confidence say, “Let Your will be done.”

As you do, you can be assured that your prayers are indeed heard, whether they are answered as you’ve hoped or not. Because, as mentioned before, even if your prayer goes “unanswered” as Jesus’ did, you can be assured that out of God’s will, good will always flow.

So put into His trust whatever you are facing today. Rest in His goodness. As you do, you will find the strength and resolve to see the Father’s will done.

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