City Life Starter

Written by Aisha Darwesh

The Word

So also Christ did not exalt himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by him who said to him, “You are my Son, today I have begotten you”; as he says also in another place, “You are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek.” In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him, being designated by God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek. 

–Hebrews 5:5-10 ESV

Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I go over there and pray.” And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me.” And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” 

–Matthew 26:36-39 ESV

Aisha’s Analysis

Today’s verses give us a glimpse of the agony Jesus endured in His journey to the cross. Just because Jesus was sinless and perfect does not mean it was easy for Him to embrace the suffering His destiny entailed. The humanity of Jesus was just as real and palpable and His divinity. That means He felt the full brunt of what it meant to obey God through what He suffered. 

Obedience is great when God wants us to do something desirable. But what if He asks us to do something that cuts right across our preferences? What then? This is where the rubber meets the road. That is usually when obedience to God matters most–when everything in you is screaming not to obey. 

Thankfully we have a High Priest in Heaven who can actually relate to our human frailty. Jesus experienced every kind of temptation and knows exactly what it’s like (everything except the sin). The best news of all is He obeyed God in His suffering, being made perfect, and became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey Him (Hebrews 5:9). 

Because of Jesus’ obedience to the Father, we get to enjoy eternal salvation in Christ. While His obedience through suffering wasn’t pleasant, it served a glorious purpose. Similarly, when God calls us to obey through suffering, we can rest assured He has a glorious purpose in mind. 

Application

If God is calling to endure something that is decidedly not desirable, lean into your desire for God. I can assure you that whatever it is you desire cannot beat God. 

Desire Him. Delight in Him. Rejoice in doing His will no matter how painful it might seem, and you’ll find a sense of purpose and joy growing within you. Even better, you’ll experience a closeness with God in your suffering that you could never know any other way. 

Lean in! Surrender to the Holy Spirit. Look to our great High Priest, Lord Jesus, as our example, and say to the Father with every fiber in your being: Nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.  

Prayer

Father God, thank You for being a very intentional, loving Father who has not overlooked me. You love me. You have a plan for my life. I want to experience life in glorious surrender and obedience to You. Thank You for empowering me to do so. Lord Jesus, thank You for being my High Priest who intercedes on my behalf. May Your perfect will prevail in my life. Though You slay me, yet I will trust You. In Jesus’ name, amen.