Good Friday

Read Matthew 26:36-46 - Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane

He went forward a little, and fell face downward on the ground, and prayed, "My Father! If it is possible, let this cup be taken away from me. But I want your will, not mine." Matthew 26:39 (TLB)

Good Friday reminds Enid Adah Nyinomujuni, from Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, of a time when he found it difficult to do the will of God. He was serving God in another country, and he felt lonely and wished he could be back home with his people. But then Enid thought of how Jesus surrendered himself to God's will even when he did not want to.

As Jesus was about to face crucifixion, he recoiled at the thought of death. Although he prayed that God would let the cup of death pass from him, he also asked that God's will be done. Jesus knew that although God's will looked bitter at the time, the end result would be good.

Thinking of Jesus' readiness to follow God's will, Enid was encouraged to continue serving where he was as long a God wanted him there. He knew that in the end, good would come from it.

We won't always feel like sacrificing ourselves - our time or our efforts - to do the things God wants us to do. But on this Good Friday, let us respond as Jesus did, saying, "Not what I want but what you want."

Prayer: Dear God, help us to do your will in all situations. Give us strength to persevere when we feel discouraged, in Jesus' name. Amen.