One of the most profound moments in Scripture is found in Mark 14:36, where Jesus, in the Garden of Gethsemane, prays these words:
“Abba, Father,” He cried out, “everything is possible for You. Please take this cup of suffering away from Me. Yet I want Your will to be done, not Mine.”
This passage reveals both the deep humanity of Jesus and the ultimate surrender to the will of the Father. He knew His mission—to redeem humanity through the cross—yet in His moment of agony, He asked if there was another way. But the key to this prayer, and to the life of a true follower of God, is in the words, “Yet not My will, but Yours be done.”
The Struggle Between Our Will and God’s Will
Jesus’ prayer reflects a struggle that every believer faces at some point: the tension between our desires and God’s purposes. We often pray for God’s will to be done, but when it requires sacrifice, discomfort, or suffering, we hesitate. Jesus, in His humanity, expressed the very real anguish of facing the cross. Yet He ultimately chose submission, knowing that God’s plan was higher than His personal suffering.
Following Christ is costly. It demands surrender, sacrifice, and trust. It requires us to lay down our own plans and ambitions to embrace what God has designed for us. Sometimes, that means stepping into unknown territory. Other times, it means enduring hardship with faith that God is working all things together for good (Romans 8:28).
Counting the Cost of Discipleship
Jesus never sugarcoated the reality of following Him. In Luke 9:23, He said:
“If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow Me.”
Taking up the cross is not a metaphor for minor inconveniences—it represents a willingness to endure hardship, suffering, and even persecution for the sake of Christ. Throughout history, many believers have faced great trials for their faith. The apostles, the early church, and countless missionaries and martyrs have lived out this reality.
For us, the cost may not be physical persecution, but it may mean sacrificing comfort, financial security, personal ambitions, or relationships. It may mean staying in a difficult situation because God has a purpose for us there. It may mean saying no to an opportunity that seems good but is not God’s best for us.
Trusting God’s Plan Above Our Own
When Jesus surrendered to the Father’s will, He demonstrated the perfect model of trust. Even in suffering, He trusted that God’s plan was greater. And because of His obedience, salvation was made available to all.
God’s will for our lives may not always be easy, but it is always good. He sees the bigger picture when we cannot. Isaiah 55:8-9 reminds us:
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.”
When we face difficult decisions, challenges, or moments of doubt, we must remember that surrendering to God’s will is the safest place to be. It may not always feel like it in the moment, but obedience to God leads to lasting joy, peace, and eternal reward.
Living a Life of Surrender
So how do we practically put God’s will above our own?
- Seek Him in Prayer – Just as Jesus prayed in Gethsemane, we must bring our struggles to God, honestly expressing our desires while submitting to His plan.
- Immerse Yourself in Scripture – God’s will is revealed through His Word. The more we align our hearts with Scripture, the easier it becomes to discern His voice.
- Trust His Timing – God’s plans often unfold differently than we expect. Patience and faith are key in following Him.
- Be Willing to Let Go – Whether it’s personal ambitions, relationships, or comfort, we must be willing to surrender anything that competes with God’s purpose in our lives.
- Walk in Obedience – Even when it’s hard, choose to follow where God leads, knowing that His ways are best.
Final Thoughts
Jesus’ prayer in Gethsemane is a powerful reminder that surrendering to God’s will is not always easy, but it is always right. The cost of following God is real, but so is the reward—eternal life, deep peace, and the joy of fulfilling His purpose. May we, like Jesus, have the courage to say in every season of life: “Not my will, but Yours be done.”
