7 [Jesus] who, in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications,with vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death, and was heard because of His godly fear,
8 Though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered.
9 And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him.
[Hebrews 5:7-9]
☆36 Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane. And He said to the disciples, Sit here while I go and pray there.
37 And He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee with Him, and He began to be sorrowful and very heavy.
38 Then He said to them, My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Wait here and watch with Me.
39 And He went a little further and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me. Yet not as I will, but as You will.
[Matthew 26:36-39]
In the 2012 London Olympics, something incredible happened. Manteo Mitchell,a member of the USA 4x400m relay team broke his leg just after running for 200 metres. The bone in his leg (the left fibula) was snapped off. Yet, the determined soul ran with that broken and hurting leg until he handed over the baton to the next person!
He couldn’t compete obviously in the final; but he ensured US qualified for the final with the same time as the Bahamas. According to him, ‘It hurt so bad but I didn’t want to let those three guys down’.
Friends, I can’t promise this year will be stress-free, cozy and smooth sailing. In mathematical terms, the journey may not be a straight line graph. But one thing is sure; with determination and the help of God, well overcome and share our mind-blowing testimonies.
Just before going to the cross, Jesus didn’t find the last 24 hours of His life on earth easy at all. It was the most stressful and the defining moment of His entire life and assignment on earth. Everything was at stake. He was crying and wailing, and yet He didn’t give up. At a point, He told His disciples His spirit was sorrowful even to the point of death. The full weight of our sinslaid squarely on His shoulders; and Satan was at His worst with discouraging thoughts, humiliation, mockery, severe beatings, slaps and the ultimate crucifixion. Jesus however endured it all, knowing His status as King of kings and Lord of lords would be confirmed after just three days.
Friends, “Tough timesnever last; but tough people do”, according to Robert H. Schuller. No matter what life throws your way this year, be steadfast. Keep your eyes on the finishing line likeUsain Bolt.
I pray tough times don’t come our way. But most importantly, I pray we’ll be victorious at the end of the day because Jesus has overcome for us.May the God that heard Jesus in His moment of distress hear us when we also call. Amen