Matthew 26:36-42: “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 with Me.” 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.” 40 Then He returned to His disciples and found them sleeping. “Couldn’t you men keep watch with Me for one hour?” He asked Peter. 41 “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 42 He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may Your will be done.”

When we commit to doing God’s will every situation and decision is sifted through the standard of “God said it, so I’m going to do it—and that’s the end of it.” We may complain or try to argue, but in the end we will be obedient, no matter what.

God understands our need to question, cry out, and petition Him for the strength to do what He asks. Hebrews 4:15 tells us that we have a high priest who can sympathize with us. Jesus wasn’t excited or happy about the cross. He grieved over the coming separation from His Father. Nevertheless, He was committed to following God’s will (Matt. 26:39). No one took Christ’s life from Him; He laid it down according to John 10:18.

Our lives should be about fulfilling God’s purpose yet many of us miss His awesome plan for our lives because we choose to follow our preferences rather than God’s will. As we become members of His body and citizens of His kingdom we receive gifts that enable us to accomplish His will, yet most of us stubbornly hold on to what we know rather than to abandon ourselves into His arms to be led by His Spirit in the discovery of our new identity and giftedness.

Obedience is sometimes hard, but the struggle and sacrifice are worth it. There is joy and peace for the believer who pleases the Lord and lives by His principles. Joy and peace that transcend our understanding for even those whose lives were lost to martyrdom expressed a peace their executioners could not comprehend.

Jesus’ yoke is only light when we let Him carry it.