Bending the Will

SCRIPTURE: Luke 22:44 NIV And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.

THOUGHT: Jesus began the shedding of his blood hours before the crown of thorns and the whip and the cross. No hand has yet been laid on him. Only the heart has been sliced open to reveal how his human will desires life, not death.

The author of life asked to burn his magnum opus.

The answer he seeks, a great “yes” from heaven, is denied him, and the bleeding continues. The second Adam, in the second garden, begins the great reversal of a curse as blood of obedience spills on earth. But it is at a great personal cost to the one who loves restoration, healing, forgiveness, and shalom.

The initial crisis will likely always be one of bending the will to obedience.

SONG: Christ is Risen (Matt Maher) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dV42JDKd5c4

PRAYER: When I remember that self-discipline is a fruit of your Spirit, oh God…when I remember that Scripture promises you have not given a spirit of timidity but of love, discipline and a sound mind, I do better. I still must bend my will to obey, but I am not alone. Thank you, Jesus for setting the great example when you said ‘yes’ in the garden that night.