And he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and began to pray, saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from Me, yet not My will, but Yours be done.” Now an angel from heaven appeared to Him and being in agony He was praying very fervently, and His sweat became like drops of blood, falling down upon the ground.     Luke 22:41-44 LSB

Are you doing God’s will? Even Jesus didn’t want to do God’s will. God’s will was for Jesus, His only begotten Son, to die a torturous death on a cross after being falsely accused, arrested, flogged, mocked, ridiculed and spat on. Jesus knew what lay ahead of Him. He prayed for God to please remove this from Him. But even if God was not willing to remove it, Jesus was willing to do God’s will.

The only way for Jesus to save us from our sins was to die on that cross so that His blood could wash us clean. He had to take on the sins of the world even though He had no sin. He had to die, be buried, rise from the dead, and ascend into heaven to save us from our sins. It was our sins that nailed Him to the cross.

Jesus was fully God. He had the power to stop the crucifixion. But as God the Son, He knew it had to happen. He had to be obedient to the point of death. He was also fully man. He would feel the sting of rejection as well as the sharp metal edges in the ball at the end of the whip that would be used to flog Him. He would feel the nails being driven into His hands and feet. He would experience difficulty breathing as His body struggled to stay up on that cross. It’s almost unimaginable what He went through to save us from our sins.

What’s even more unimaginable as I think about what He did for me is all the years I did nothing for Him. I went to church a couple times a month, gave a tithe and lived my life as I wanted with little thought of what He wanted. I was busy following the course I had set for myself. I didn’t take the time to study my Bible and pray and find out His will for my life. I didn’t devote myself to regular church attendance. I didn’t give up my time to serve the Lord and serve others.

God has a purpose for us just as He had a purpose for His own Son to die to save us from our sins (John 3:16). Are you fulfilling the purpose God has for your life? Jesus died for you, are you willing to die to your selfish sinful ways and devote your life to Him?

I have felt called to do things I honestly didn’t want to do, but I found myself truly enjoying the work He called me to do. I will admit there are still times when I don’t feel like doing something I know I am called to do, but I do it anyway and am satisfied at the end of the day. He has never asked me to die on a cross, but He has asked me to give up my life of sin.

God didn’t remove this task from Jesus, but He sent an angel to strengthen Him. He will provide all you need to do what He calls you to do.

We are told in Ephesians 2:10 that we are created by God for good works which He has prepared for us. If Jesus had refused to do what God the Father had called Him to do, we would be without any chance for salvation. We would have no hope of resurrection and eternal life with God the Father.

Jesus didn’t want to experience the pain He would be subjected to on that cross, but He was willing to do God’s will. Are you?

Have a great day!