Tuesday of Lent 3

And he came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him. And when he came to the place, he said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.” And he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. — Luke 22:39–43

In all its parts, the Lord’s Prayer is the pattern of the prayers of all Christians. Here in Jesus’ prayer on the Mount of Olives in the garden, we see the third petition prayed in the extreme. Christ, the Lamb

of God, Who is bearing the sins of the world in His body to the altar of His cross, prays for the Father’s will to be done in spite of the immense pain and suffering that’s awaiting Him in the days ahead. The will of the Christ and the will of the Father are not at odds. Both desire the salvation

of mankind. Jesus is true God and true man. He knows He will feel the piercing, the stripes, the blows, and the nails. No sane human hates his body so much that he longs for pain and suffering.

What Christ does here in Gethsemane is what He does throughout His earthly ministry, keeps the Law perfectly for us. He beautifully shows not only that His perfect love for us, His neighbor, is greater than His love for His own body, but also that His fear, love, and trust in the Father’s will

is greater than His love for His own body. This is credited to us by faith and is a great comfort and peace for us sinners who don’t always desire the will of the Father to be done.

Dear Father, we thank You that in Your divine goodness and mercy, You have seen fit to give us the gift of faith and through it, forgiveness, life, and salvation. Grant that we be kept from all that despise Your goodness and mercy. Amen.