For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Hebrews 4:15 (NIV)
He [Jesus] began to be deeply distressed and troubled. “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death,” he said to them. “Stay here and keep watch.” Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. “Abba, Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” Mark 14:33-36 (NIV)
Jesus knows firsthand what it is like to have an unanswered prayer. He asked for a way out of His pain. Jesus prayed to the Father and essentially said, “Don’t let me die like this.” He was looking for a way out, but He didn’t hear a response from the Father. Jesus knows what it is like to feel abandoned.
That’s not the end of the story. God was faithful. Everything that God promised to do through Jesus’ death on the cross, God did. Jesus knows the faithfulness of the Father. You can too. You and I are beneficiaries of God’s silence and Jesus’ commitment to the cross. Heaven awaits us because God was silent and Jesus obeyed. Jesus would not undo the cross. There is incredible blessing through incredible pain.
READ: MARK 14
Pray: Thank you God that You know best. There are many times I want to escape the pain life offers. Help me to know and accept Your faithfulness through the storms in my life. When I feel most alone, abandoned or apart from You, please remind me that Jesus did too. I have heaven ahead of me because of what Jesus did on the cross. Thank You for bringing me through. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
- To watch the messages in the “I Want to Believe, But…” series, click here.