PRACTICAL CHRISTIANITY - MEDITATE DAY AND NIGHT
Dec. 28th, 2025
“TAKE AWAY THIS CUP FROM ME.”
Jesus walked away, about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, “Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me.” (Luke 22:41-42 NLT) Jesus prayed this prayer in the garden at the Mount of Olives.
It is amazing how often we have asked God to do the same thing for us! We are often vehement and desperately pleading with God to take away any experience of suffering from us. Jesus prayed this prayer with great responsibility and absolute submission to the will of God, while it is a sing-song for us because we are still denying the fact or do not understand that suffering cannot be separated from our Christian walk.
Critically, though, Jesus immediately binds His request to submission. In virtually the same breath as He makes His appeal, He resolves to obey the will of the Father. Even more powerful than the anguish of His human emotions is Jesus' absolute commitment to obeying God. THERE IS NEVER A QUESTION AS TO WHETHER CHRIST WILL FOLLOW THROUGH ON HIS MISSION. This prayer is a cry to God, declaring both natural emotions and perfect faithfulness (Philippians 2:8). We ought to do the same, though, there seems to be no alternative. God’s will must be done. Why?
Jesus answered, “You say rightly that I am a king. FOR THIS CAUSE I WAS BORN, AND FOR THIS CAUSE I HAVE COME INTO THE WORLD, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.” (John 18:37 NKJV) And twice in John 1:29, 36, John the Baptist referred to Jesus as the “Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” a confirmation of His impending suffering.
Esther too was reminded by her Uncle, Mordecai, when she tried to refuse going to the king when she had not been summoned. “And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” (Est. 4:14b NIV) In essence, our apportioned suffering in this world is God’s purpose for us. We should bear it with the dignity of a follower of Jesus Christ knowing that after rain, comes sunshine.
THE WORD: “In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So AFTER YOU HAVE SUFFERED A LITTLE WHILE, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation." (1 Pet.5.10.NLT)
KBA Tracts
Follow KBA Tracts on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/share/19kNSm3rt7/
www.kbatracts.com.ng
Dec. 28th, 2025
“TAKE AWAY THIS CUP FROM ME.”
Jesus walked away, about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, “Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me.” (Luke 22:41-42 NLT) Jesus prayed this prayer in the garden at the Mount of Olives.
It is amazing how often we have asked God to do the same thing for us! We are often vehement and desperately pleading with God to take away any experience of suffering from us. Jesus prayed this prayer with great responsibility and absolute submission to the will of God, while it is a sing-song for us because we are still denying the fact or do not understand that suffering cannot be separated from our Christian walk.
Critically, though, Jesus immediately binds His request to submission. In virtually the same breath as He makes His appeal, He resolves to obey the will of the Father. Even more powerful than the anguish of His human emotions is Jesus' absolute commitment to obeying God. THERE IS NEVER A QUESTION AS TO WHETHER CHRIST WILL FOLLOW THROUGH ON HIS MISSION. This prayer is a cry to God, declaring both natural emotions and perfect faithfulness (Philippians 2:8). We ought to do the same, though, there seems to be no alternative. God’s will must be done. Why?
Jesus answered, “You say rightly that I am a king. FOR THIS CAUSE I WAS BORN, AND FOR THIS CAUSE I HAVE COME INTO THE WORLD, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.” (John 18:37 NKJV) And twice in John 1:29, 36, John the Baptist referred to Jesus as the “Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” a confirmation of His impending suffering.
Esther too was reminded by her Uncle, Mordecai, when she tried to refuse going to the king when she had not been summoned. “And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” (Est. 4:14b NIV) In essence, our apportioned suffering in this world is God’s purpose for us. We should bear it with the dignity of a follower of Jesus Christ knowing that after rain, comes sunshine.
THE WORD: “In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So AFTER YOU HAVE SUFFERED A LITTLE WHILE, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation." (1 Pet.5.10.NLT)
KBA Tracts
Follow KBA Tracts on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/share/19kNSm3rt7/
www.kbatracts.com.ng
0 Comments