Submission to God’s Mission
Luke 22:39-46 ESV
And he came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him. 40 And when he came to the place, he said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.” 41 And he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, 42 saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” 43 And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. 44 And being in agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground. 45 And when he rose from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping for sorrow, 46 and he said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Rise and pray that you may not enter into temptation.”
Matthew 26:36-46 ESV
Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I go over there and pray.” 37 And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38 Then he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me.” 39 And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” 40 And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter, “So, could you not watch with me one hour? 41 Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 42 Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.” 43 And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. 44 So, leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words again. 45 Then he came to the disciples and said to them, “Sleep and take your rest later on. See, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46 Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand.”
Mark 14:43 ESV
And immediately, while he was still speaking, Judas came, one of the twelve, and with him a crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders.
Luke 22:39 ESV
And he came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him.
- This was a gathering place for them.
- They followed Him not sure of the outcome.
- He has discussed betrayal, denial and death.
- It seems this path is full of failure.
- Yet they follow!
- They are exhausted and confused.
- Yet they follow!
- They are overwhelmed and afraid.
- Yet they follow!
- Follow Him not your feelings.
- Jesus knew Judas was coming.
Luke 22:40 ESV
And when he came to the place, he said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.”
- What temptation?
- To fear, doubt, fight, run or hide.
- Prayer is the antidote to temptation!
- We enter into temptation when we fail to pray.
- Are you praying without ceasing?
- We are reminded of this in the Lord’s prayer.
- We don’t overcome temptation in our strength!
Luke 22:41-42 ESV
And he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, 42 saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.”
- When life gets hard do you withdraw in prayer?
- Some resort drinking or drugs.
- Some retreat into technology or amusement.
- Jesus withdrew with His Father!
- It’s interesting that He did this alone.
- He was an example to us in everything!
- Develop a pattern of prayer.
- He knelt down, fell on His face Matthew says.
- “Abba, if you are willing” – submission to the mission
- What cup? The cup of wrath!
Psalm 75:8
For in the hand of the LORD there is a cup with foaming wine, well mixed, and he pours out from it, and all the wicked of the earth shall drain it down to the dregs.
Isaiah 51:17
Wake yourself, wake yourself, stand up, O Jerusalem, you who have drunk from the hand of the LORD the cup of his wrath, who have drunk to the dregs the bowl, the cup of staggering.
Isaiah 51:22
Thus says your Lord, the LORD, your God who pleads the cause of his people: “Behold, I have taken from your hand the cup of staggering; the bowl of my wrath you shall drink no more
- Jesus says, “not My will but Yours be done”
- Have you given up on your will and embraced His?
- The first step is “not my will”.
- Do you trust His will? His heart and plan?
- It won’t be easy or obvious.
- But He will share your path and His power!
- When is the last time you said “Your will be done!”?
- Are you submitted to the mission?
- Let’s spend some time in prayer.
Luke 22:43 -44 ESV
And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. And being in agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.
- Have your ever sweated it out in prayer?
- His agony led Him to more earnest prayer.
- What did Jesus agonize? What would you agonize?
- He knew He would rise and be glorified!
- Was Jesus afraid of death? Was Jesus afraid?
- He agonized the betrayal, denial, rejection, abuse, humiliation, hatred, mockery, the hurt, shame, pain and suffering. The scattering, the Cross – The CUP!!!
Luke 22:45-46 ESV
And when he rose from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping for sorrow, 46 and he said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Rise and pray that you may not enter into temptation.”
- Jesus wanted their prayer support and watchfulness.
- Jesus puts a priority on prayer!
- Prayer is more essential than sleep.
- Rise and pray rather than sleep.
Luke 22:47-48 ESV
While he was still speaking, there came a crowd, and the man called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He drew near to Jesus to kiss him, 48 but Jesus said to him, “Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?”