The Father's Will: Mark 14:32-36
Submission to the Father is the only perfect path through trial and into peace. Submission to God’s will takes great strength. Submission to the Father means having the ability to deny ourselves – our needs, our wants, the lusts of our heart. Submission to the Father means letting His desires rule our heart.
In the Garden, Jesus tells most of His disciples to wait so He could go on ahead with James, John, and Peter. Although it may feel like favoritism, I doubt favoritism is present. Rather, this is an instance of natural relationship formation. Peter, James, and John were the disciples Jesus brought with Him to see Jairus. These were the disciples that went to the transfiguration. These were the disciples to whom Jesus was the closest.
As the crucifixion draws nearer, the trial grows more intense. We often need company during times of intense pressure – but only company from those who are the closest and who understand us best. Jesus separates Himself from the main group of disciples and walks into His trial surrounded by the trio who knew Him best.
In the end, Jesus winds up alone. He realizes the pain and suffering from the coming trial is too great for even His closest disciples to help. He tells James, John, and Peter to wait for Him while He goes on and prays.
What Jesus needs is time to commune with the Father. He needs to bear His soul to the Father. Friends are good and very useful and they certainly have their place in our life. Friends, however, can never know us as intimately as our Creator. The people around us – no matter how much they understand us – cannot truly understand us in the same way the Father can.
Jesus pours out His soul to the Father. The passion is incredible, especially because it comes from God Himself. Jesus acknowledges the heavy weight of the coming trial. Jesus acknowledges He wouldn’t mind finding another way to save the world besides going through the next several hours. Jesus knows how it will feel to have the crowds turn on Him. He knows how it will feel to have the religious elite glory in His death. He knows how it will feel to have His disciples deny Him. He knows how it will feel when the curtain is torn, the heavens are rent apart, and the Father leaves Him to die. I cannot fathom what He felt as it came, but it was enough to drive Him into deep anguish.
In the throes of this anguish, Jesus utters something amazing. He tells the Father God’s will should have precedence to His own will. Despite His pain and anguish, Jesus’ response is submission. Jesus doesn’t run away. Jesus doesn’t get angry. Jesus doesn’t try to accomplish His own goals. Jesus submits to the Father.
Submission to the Father is the only perfect path through trial and into peace.
