Daily Bread

1. The cup (32-34)

The burden our Lord was about to bear was very real. Jesus was overcome with sorrow to the point of death. Not only did he face the horrors of crucifixion, but the full extent of God's wrath for the sin of the whole world. He would be separated from the Father and, as the Bible says, actually become sin. Such a thing was completely repulsive to the pure and holy Son of God. No doubt, this was also the moment of Satan's fiercest temptations. We can envision him whispering in Jesus' ear that certainly there must be an easier way. How could Jesus bear such a burden? He turned to the Father in prayer.

2. God's will, not ours (35-42)

Jesus prayed, "Yet not what I will, but what you will." Prayer is a struggle for God's will to win out over our own will. By accepting our Father's will, we put our trust and faith in Him and His strength becomes our strength. Look at our Lord's courage after prayer! He did not run or hide. Instead, he said "Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!" This is what happens when we place our lives in the Father's hands. Jesus told his disciples to "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation." As Jesus demonstrated, this is the path to victory.