Let this cup pass from me.......

 

I trust that you all had a wonderful Easter. I did! I thoroughly enjoyed singing in the Greenhouse Easter Sunday choir, it was incredible to get to serve beside so many during this special time and I look forward to any and all opportunities to do this again.

This morning, during my devotions, I experienced a revelation that I don't recall having ever realized  during the time that I have been a Christian that was just a WOW moment.  I am reading a series by T.D. Jakes called The Six Pillars. This series covers Ephesians. Currently I am on the 3rd part of this series, in perfect timing with the resurrection. I am not sure what I believed about Jesus' words to the Father when He asked him to "let this cup pass from me". Part of me thought it was about all the pain and suffering that He would soon endure from the cross to the grave. It never occurred to me that what concerned Jesus  most was not the physical pain that He would endure, but the pain of  separation that would take place as Jesus took on the sins of humanity, the sin that would cause His Father to look away. I don't know about you, but as a parent, that just broke my heart!

I want that. I want to have THAT kind of relationship with my Father. The kind of relationship that would cause me so much agony to NOT have. For Jesus, that would only be for a few days, but even that was too much for Him to bare, and yet He did, for you and for me. That is so significant. I am crying right this moment just sharing this with you. That is a lot of love.


Jesus didn't just die for us, to be our blood sacrifice, He rose to be our constant connection to His Father, our Father. Jesus wants us to have a close relationship with the Father, it mattered so much to Him and wants it to matter that much to us.

As with any developing relationship there is a period of "getting to know" one another, and the only way we can know the Father, is in the Word. I use to think "why do I need to read the whole bible" but as I have been reading the chronological, and yes it seems a bit wordy at times, I am learning more and more about God and how, despite human failures, has never given up on His chosen people and how grateful I am that He extended the chosen to include you and I. These are not just mere stories of the history of the Jewish people, but a better understanding of who God is and all that He had to do, and continues to do, to  bring us back into a relationship with Him. So I will keep reading that chronological bible because I want to know Him and understand His ways.

Have a great week my friends and make sure you spend some time with your Father!

-Tammy