Our Cup

My Father! If it is possible, let this cup pass from Me. Yet not as I will, but as You will. - Matthew 26:39

A troubling passage for some, the words of Jesus above give insight into His struggle with His own humanity. As the author of our salvation, Jesus had to endure every temptation we face, yet never succumb. The Bible states that He was tempted "as we are," yet without sin. Certainly, facing the suffering before Him, Jesus was tempted to flee.

As Christ-followers, there will be times when sacrifice will be required. The annals of church history record the sacrificial sufferings of some of God's greatest servants and the annals of heaven record the sufferings of those only God knows. While we who live in America probably won't be martyred, each of us will have to choose the way of Christ over the ways of the world.

We may ask that our "cup" pass, but if our Master so wills it, then we must submit. Jesus' actions glorified the Father and though not as magnificently, ours must, too.

The apostles went away rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for the name of Christ, that they were graced so far as to be disgraced for the name of Christ! - Thomas Watson