SCRIPTURE: Matthew (NIV) 26:36 Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” 37 He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38 Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch 39 Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”
OBSERVATION: It all came down to this. Would the Father require the Son He loved to die for the sins of people? Was it possible for there to be another way? Could the creation God loved be saved in any other way? Did Jesus really need to suffer as payment for our sins?
The Holiness of God demanded that the payment for sin was death. Since everyone had sinned, everyone had to die. Sin could not be allowed into the Presence of the Holy God! God could never realize the joy of loving His prize creation because sin separated us! The loving God could never have fellowship with His sinning creation. But if there was one born without sin, who overcame every temptation and lived a sinless life—then His death could be the payment for people born and living in sin! So, this Holy and Loving God sent His Son to live that life and be that sacrifice!!!
APPLICATION: So, it was not possible for “this cup” to be taken from Jesus! He must suffer and die as the Holy payment of a Holy God on behalf of sinful people who would then know the Love of God! And so, in all creation where we can see the majesty and awesomeness of such a great Creator God there is one planet where we can see displayed the Creator’s great ability to love—earth!
Dear SOAP reader, through accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior, we can be the recipients of that love, and through us can be seen the awesome love of our Creator!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, your heart must have been twisted almost to the breaking point as the Son You love requested that the cup of suffering and death be taken from Him. Yet even though He was your dearly loved Son, you required the same payment from Him as you would from me. And so, with my sins forgiven I can enter your Holy presence. Just saying “Thanks” is too little, I give you my life as your home. Amen.
Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!
On Facebook: Today’s SOAP from Pastor Leon
SOAPs by Pastor Leon 