Linda Callahan
What is the most courageous act Jesus preformed? I believe that the greatest act of courage preformed by Jesus took place in the Garden of Gethsemane. Because there is where Jesus faced his own will and the choice to trust and obey his Father.
As he wept in prayer He made the statement: “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death….My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me.“ Matthew 26:38,39
Jesus was battling self-will. He had to prepare himself to submit to his Father. He came to His disciples to ask them to join Him in prayer and they refused. So, agonizingly He went back to the garden to pray. He prayed all night. He fought to be willing to trust His Father’s purpose and move forward. He fought to let go of His own desires.
The burden of choice was on His shoulders. He could return to heaven (skip the torture, shame and humiliation of the crucifixion day) or He could walk boldly into what He knew was the cruelest torture known to man. He would be broken physically, emotionally and socially. In all areas He would be torn down. He saw clearly the road to walk, and in the darkest hour of choice He saw his future. Was He willing to move forward?
As Jesus sweat blood He made His decision to submit Himself totally to His Father. Jesus saw the startling pressure of going forward. But He could not move forward without complete submission and courage that His Father would deliver Him and if not, that Jesus would be submissive to death for eternity. He prayed: “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” Matthew 26:39
As He was moving toward the cross He was already dying of sorrow. But, Jesus had made the choice to do His Father’s will. Hanging on the cross was courageous, but the real courage was the submission in the garden.
Jesus cried out: “Father why has thou forsaken me?’” Matthew 27:46 Was this a cry of desperation He felt that His father had not ministered to him? Was He questioning His own submission? Was Jesus asking Himself if maybe He hadn’t totally submitted in some way? The courage remained. Jesus was obedient to death, and though He could not understand, He remained submitted to His Father.
As I reflected on these things, I asked God where I lack courage. I found in searching myself: it was not in standing up for my faith; or purpose, but rather in not facing sins and imperfections in my character. For allowing doubts and insecurities to dominate me and not allow me to do the full will of God.
Courage comes from being obedient when our own future is uncertain. When we doubt our own abilities; we must stand fast on our Father’s faithfulness in all things. I learn from Jesus.
Linda Callahan writes from Medford, Oregon.