Holy Week Devotion Thursday

ReadMatthew 26:36-46, Mark 14:32-42, Hebrews 4:14-16
Teachers will tell you most students thrive under clear instruction. Even if a topic is difficult, if a teacher models how to do it first, students are far more likely to understand and be successful when they get home and have to do it themselves. 
Jesus, being a teacher, knew this. And right up to His death, He was giving His followers an example they could follow. When life gets hard, and we don’t know what to do next, we can look to what Jesus did in the hours leading to His arrest. 
 
The night before Jesus died, He asked, “Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine” (Luke 22:42, NLT). Jesus knows hard. When we endure tough situations, we can look to Him and emulate His actions. 
Four things we can learn from Jesus’ actions before dying:
1. We don’t have to face difficult times alone. Jesus surrounded Himself with friends at the last supper, and He invited them to join him in Gethsemane while He prayed (Matthew 26:36-46). 
2. We can turn to our heavenly Father. God wants to hear from His children. He is full of mercy, and in Jesus, we have a mediator who empathizes with us (Hebrews 4:14-16). 
3. We can be honest with God. Jesus tells His disciples that His soul is overwhelmed, and He is just as candid when crying out to God. He asks Him to take this cup from Him (Mark 14:34). 
4. We can trust His plan. Even after asking God to take away His certain death, Jesus trusts God’s plan in the cross. He submits to His will and authority in His life (Mark 14:36). 
No matter what circumstances we find ourselves in, regardless of our fear or uncertainty, we can look to Jesus and follow the example He set.
Reflect:

• What’s one hard thing you’re facing this week? Take some time right now to talk to God about it. 
• Is there an area of your life where you feel isolated? If so, who can you reach out to today to start building a community?  
• What does it look like for you to trust God’s plan for your life?

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