The climax of Jesus’s reverent submission to the Father in prayer came in Gethsemane, with these words in Matthew 26:29 “Nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” This is the ultimate, transparent moment of reverent submission in godly fear in Jesus’ life of prayer. This is also the moment that first comes to mind when we read the summary of Jesus’ prayer life in Hebrews 5:7-9, when we see Jesus offering “vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death.” As Jesus entered Gethsemane, in Mark 13:34, He told His disciples “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death.” In Luke 22:44 we read that this sorrow and agony was so great that “His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.” In such great anguish over what He was about to face, His pain was real as He prayed “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me” but He added “not as I will, but as You will.”
Jesus prayed this way in Gethsemane because of the load the Father was asking Him to carry, which was the sin of the world! Jesus understood what this would involve and require from Him, and He knew tat only through the strength and guidance from the heavenly Father would He be able to fulfill the Father’s will. Only through ongoing intimate fellowship with “Him who was able to save Him from death” could He commit Himself to carrying this load that was asked of Him.
How did Jesus know that this was the load He was supposed to carry? Because in prayer with the Father, the Son was informed of it, the timing, how it was to happen, as well as the strength He would need to complete it. Therefore, He was in deep anguish over the events He would have to immediately face, but He knew that the end result would be the defeat of sin and death for mankind. Mark 14:39 “Again He went away and prayed, and spoke the same words.”
Do you know what load God has for you to carry today? If you are a child of God, then you are a servant of God; have you spent enough time with your master to be instructed for His plans and purposes set aside for your life? In the midst of this hurting and troubled world, have you maintained a singleness of mind to hear your mission from God, like Jesus did?