JESUS UNDERSTANDS PRESSURE
MATTHEW 26:39-41 NKJV
39 He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.”
40 Then He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “What! Could you not watch with Me one hour? 41 Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
It's very easy to look at Jesus and incorrectly assume He did not have to handle life as we do. That somehow, because He was the Son of God, He lived far above the negatives that the rest of humanity has to deal with. However, that is simply not true.
According to Philippians 2:7, Jesus emptied Himself of His privileges and came as a man. Son of God and, by His own admission, Son of man. The writer of Hebrews says that Jesus was tempted in all points as we are yet without sin. This is why He can relate to our weaknesses. Jesus had to deal with His flesh just as we do.
The verses we are looking at today reveal how Jesus had to deal with the pressure He was facing right before the cross. To walk away from His disciples and fall on His face and pray indicated He was facing an extremely difficult time. Verse 37 of this chapter says He began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed. He even told James, John, and Peter that His soul was exceedingly sorrowful even unto death. And He asked them to stay and watch and pray with Him.
We have some idea of what Jesus faced in the physical pain of the cross. But how difficult was the spiritual ramifications of taking on the sin of the world? We can understand the physical, but I believe the spiritual pressure was even worse. The pressure on Jesus was so intense that He wanted the three disciples with Him during this stressful time. Maybe that was why He was a bit dismayed when, instead of praying with Him, He found them sleeping. This is where Jesus gave insight into how to handle the weakness of the flesh. Watch, be alert, and pray. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.
Jesus was having to deal with His flesh not wanting to go to the cross. If you read the prayer in the garden verses, Jesus prayed three times for the cup to pass from Him. He was asking His Father if there was any other way to complete His assignment. If there was any other way that He could accomplish God’s plan. Thankfully Jesus ended these prayers with the statement - Your will be done. Despite how hard His impending death was, the most important thing to Jesus was doing the will of God. But doing the will of God was by no means an easy task. He would take on more than any other man, and the pressure was intense.
APPLICATION
When we understand that Jesus had to navigate life just as we do, it brings a new level of appreciation for Him and His strength and commitment to God. When we understand that He is not only our Savior but also our example, we gain greater respect for Him.
To face the pressure He faced without caving in or giving up is monumental for us. Without Jesus going to the cross, we could have never been saved.
So when it comes to dealing with pressure, we have a Savior who understands what it feels like to be pressed and yet to win. And now, we can use Him as our example. Whatever God has asked us to do, our response to the pressure is to pray and declare not my will, but Your will be done.
PRAYER
Lord, thank You for facing down the pressure of the cross without giving up or giving in. I have salvation today because You followed God's plan and did not accept a way out.