Join us to go through Jesus’ journey to the cross as we prepare for Easter this year! Our theme this year, “Redeemed”, reminds us of the truth that through the cross and His resurrection, we are delivered, restored, and made new. Once lost, we are now found – redeemed and chosen by His grace.
Mark 14:32-38 ESV
32 And they went to a place called Gethsemane. And he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” 33 And he took with him Peter and James and John, and began to be greatly distressed and troubled. 34 And he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death. Remain here and watch.” 35 And going a little farther, he fell on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. 36 And he said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” 37 And he came and found them sleeping, and he said to Peter, “Simon, are you asleep? Could you not watch one hour? 38 Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
Imagine enduring great physical strain and mental pain after an accident in the middle of the night. With hardly anyone nearby to help, you slowly make your way to the hospital. When you call your friends, they express willingness to accompany you, but their sluggishness leaves you feeling unsupported. How lonely your heart is at that moment! What else can you do but wait for the diagnosis of the severity of your injuries?
Jesus went through this inner turmoil, only much worse, in the Garden of Gethsemane before His death. He brought His disciples to pray, yet found Himself alone as they fell asleep. In His prayer, Jesus didn’t ask His Father to take away the pain; He asked “if possible,” knowing full well that, despite the great grief that had broken His heart, He would submit and obey if going through with God’s plan was His will.
In our own moments of despair, How often, or can we even, in full despair and desolation, throw up our hands in surrender and cry out to God, “Your will be done”? The Father’s will is such a central theme in our Christian lives that even the first few sentences of the Lord’s Prayer start with “Your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven” (Matthew 6:10). Yet, as we pray this prayer, are we really internalising the true meaning or only reciting it without feeling the weight of the words?
It is no doubt a struggle to yield to the Father’s will if we don’t grasp its significance. Jesus set the example for us, understanding that this is the only way to redeem us. God has made covenants with His people throughout history, but our sinful nature leads to repeated failures. Imagine if Jesus lacked a deep relationship with His Father or was easily shaken – what would our situation be? Let’s not take the redeemed lives Jesus has offered us for granted! As we embrace surrender to God’s will, let’s trust that He is the God who works all things together for good (Romans 8:28)!
Reflection and Application
- Think about a time when you felt alone in your struggles, similar to Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. How did that experience shape your understanding of support and community in your faith?
- Consider how you can build foundational practices in your redeemed life that not only transform you but also encourage and disciple others in their faith journey. Share with 1-2 people for accountability!
Prayer Requests
HKUST:
- To take bold and faith-filled steps of obedience as we are convicted to respond to God’s heart for our campus and see revival happen.
- To see Christ-centered community built where people are involved in each other’s journey of being set free from their strongholds.
- To open our community to others by proactively displaying/sharing our personal experiences as an outward expression of our inward faith.
Click here for full devotional link and for PDF version