Luke 22:39–46

Be still: Jesus, thank you that you are with me and that you have made your home in me. You couldn’t be any closer. And yet, I want to know you more. I want to understand who you are and your love at a deeper level today. Amen

Read: Luke 22:39–46

 'Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him.' (v43-44)

Encounter: Luke brings us into the garden of Gethsemane, describing the gruelling reality of everything Jesus faced. Amidst all that pain, Jesus is presented with a choice — to be obedient to the purposes of God or not. In Genesis, Adam had a similar choice — to choose loving trust in God or not. Jesus, as the ‘new Adam’ makes his choice. Despite the suffering he will endure, Jesus trusted the will and the goodness of the Father.

No-one gets to choose what suffering comes. But we do get a choice about how we respond to it. Do I allow pain to push me towards God or further away from him? In my life, I’ve chosen each option at different points.

Several years ago, I experienced a horrid season of suffering where it felt gravity had failed: everything was upside-down, and I didn’t know which was up. I daily poured my heart out to God with all the questions that suffering brings. And, as I did, God came strangely close, and I became aware of his presence. He didn’t remove the pain, but he let me know that he was close. Sometimes that’s enough to get us through. 

Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane courageously declared ‘..not my will, but yours.' Immediately, an angel from heaven appeared and strengthened him. The promise for us is — as we submit ourselves to God in our smaller suffering — he comes close and makes himself known. 

Psalm 34:18 The Lord is close to the broken-hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.’

Apply: Let's intentionally choose with complete honesty (we can't deceive the Lord!) to bring our difficulties, our pain, our frustrations and confusions to Jesus. Ask him to help you trust him to bring you through suffering and gift you with 'peace beyond human understanding' by the Holy Spirit.

Devote: Jesus, as I look ahead into the day, I trust that you go with me, that your presence is with me always, and that you will never leave me or forsake me.