Total Surrender to God's Will

https://youtu.be/s7jXASBWwwI?si=H-ElVUVdsr29znI9

The Garden of Gethsemane carries a heavy significance. In that olive grove, we witness one of the most profound moments of human surrender in all of history.

Jesus knew what was coming: the betrayal, the arrest, the trials, the torture, and the crucifixion. He understood that within hours, He would bear the weight of humanity's sin and experience separation from His Father for the first time in eternity. The mere thought of this caused Him to sweat drops of blood.

"My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will."

These words reveal both Jesus' complete humanity and His perfect divinity. The request—"let this cup pass from me"—illustrates that Jesus felt the full weight of what He was about to endure. He was not merely going through the motions of suffering; He was facing the most horrific experience imaginable, and His human nature recoiled from it.

But then comes the surrender: "Nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will."

This was not resignation or defeat. It was an active, deliberate submission to God's perfect plan, even when that plan involved unimaginable pain. Jesus chose obedience over comfort, God's will over His own preferences, and eternal purpose over temporary relief.

I have wrestled with this passage for years. Sometimes I wonder if I truly grasp what Jesus was surrendering. The physical suffering was real and terrible, yes, but the spiritual suffering—bearing the sins of the world, experiencing God's wrath against sin, being separated from the Father—was infinitely worse. Yet, Jesus said yes to it all.

This surrender did not happen in a moment of emotional weakness or spiritual confusion. Jesus fully understood what He was choosing. He had perfect knowledge of the cost and perfect understanding of the necessity. His surrender was informed, intentional, and complete.

"For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but to do the will of Him who sent me." This wasn't just a Gethsemane moment; it was the pattern of Jesus' entire life. Every decision, every action, every word was submitted to the Father’s will.

When He was tempted in the wilderness, He chose God's will over Satan's alternatives. When people tried to make Him king, He chose God's timing over human acclaim. When His family thought He was losing His mind, He chose God's mission over family approval. When religious leaders opposed Him, He chose God's truth over popular acceptance.

Jesus’ surrender was total because His trust was total. He was not hoping that God's plan would work out; He knew it would. He was not merely believing that God was good; He knew God was perfect. He was not just trusting that God cared; He knew God's love was infinite and unfailing.

This challenges me deeply. How often do I pray, "Not my will, but yours be done," and genuinely mean it? How often do I surrender my plans, desires, and preferences to God's greater purpose? How often do I choose God's will when it conflicts with my own?

I think about the areas of my life where I still want to maintain control: career, relationships, health, finances, reputation. How easily I slip into thinking I know what is best for me, forgetting that God's perspective is infinitely higher than my own.

Jesus shows us that true freedom comes not from getting our own way but from aligning ourselves with God's will. When we surrender to God's plan, we are not losing control; we are gaining the security of knowing we are in the hands of perfect wisdom and love.

But we must be honest: surrender is frightening. It means admitting we do not have all the answers. It requires trusting God even when we cannot see the outcome. It demands willingness to accept paths we would not choose for ourselves.

Jesus' example shows us that surrender does not mean we cannot express our concerns or preferences to God. He openly shared His desire to avoid the cross. Prayer is not about pretending we have no feelings or fears. It is about bringing those feelings and fears to God and then choosing His will regardless.

Surrender also does not mean passivity. Jesus did not simply sit back and let things happen to Him. He actively obeyed, actively loved, actively served, and actively proclaimed truth. Surrender to God's will often requires tremendous energy and effort—just in the direction God wants us to go rather than in the direction we might prefer.

The most beautiful part of Jesus' surrender is that it was motivated by love. He did not submit to God's will grudgingly or fearfully. He did it because He loved the Father and He loved us. His surrender was the ultimate expression of love—costly, sacrificial, and complete.

"My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will." (Matthew 26:39 ESV)

"For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but to do the will of Him who sent me." (John 6:38 ESV)

When we encounter our own Gethsemane moments—times when God's will conflicts with our desires—Jesus' example shows us the way forward. Not just in words, but in the depth of surrender that can transform our lives.