NEVERTHELESS
By Capazin Thornton
Nevertheless not as I will
The night before His crucifixion, Jesus was in the Garden of Gethsemane at the foot of the Mount of Olives. With Him were Peter, James and John. These three had been with Him on the Mount of Transfiguration. They saw Him in His pre-incarnate glory when His face shone like the sun and His clothes became as white as the light.[1]
Now in the Garden of Gethsemane ( oil press), Jesus said to them: “My soul is deeply grieved, to the point of death; remain here and keep watch with me.”[2] But His disciples were overcome with sorrow and fell asleep.
Falling on His face before God, Jesus agonized in prayer:
“. . . O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.” —Mt 26:39
Luke records, “And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground” (Lk 22:44).
Certainly Jesus knew the law and the prophets. Hundreds of prophecies foretold His suffering.
Isaiah wrote that Messiah would be spat on and beaten to pieces so as to be unrecognizable. Further, that Messiah would be wounded for our transgressions, bruised for our iniquities. The chastisement for our peace would be upon Him. And by His stripes we are healed.
King David wrote Messiah would be betrayed, falsely accused, mocked, scorn. His hands and feet would be pierced through. Zechariah said He would be deserted by His followers.[3]
But as God wills
Jesus knew the will of God. Yet knowing the will of God is one thing; doing it another. Thank God forevermore Jesus chose to surrender to and do the Father’s will. The heart of His surrender is seen in Psalm 40:6-8:
Sacrifice and offering You did not desire; My ears You have opened. Burnt offering and sin offering You did not require. 7 Then I said, “Behold, I come; in the scroll of the book it is written of me. 8 I delight to do Your will, O my God, and Your law is within my heart.”
Jesus’ “nevertheless” is thus very weighty. Spirit-motivated, Spirit infused, noble, majestic, and infinite in beauty and scope.
The Christ who had emptied Himself of divine rights, privileges and glory to become human in the first place now has purposed in His heart to fill full the will of God. To redeem and save mankind and make us right with God according to the pre-determined will of God.
Yes, Jesus followed through in His resolve. When He said “nevertheless not as I will but as You will” to the Father, our destiny was changed—forever!
No person has to die in their sins. Jesus willingly suffered and died for the sins of all mankind according to the Scriptures. Jesus was buried. Then, glory to God He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures. In Him is life and the life is the light of men.[4]
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Capazin Thornton is a Christian speaker and writer in Orange County, California.
