My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me.

Yet not as I will, but as you will.

My God spoke those words, just before he knew he was to be betrayed and subsequently crucified on the cross.

His name is Jesus. He was praying to his Father in heaven, asking if it was possible that the suffering he was about to endure might be removed.

Three times he prayed in Gethsemane for his cup of suffering to pass from him.

Three times he prayed those nine words, ‘Yet not as I will, but as you will.’

Three times.

I’m pretty sure that night wasn’t the first time he’d prayed that prayer.

Because when I look at the life of Jesus, I see a man who lived out, ‘Yet not as I will, but as you will.’

I see a man whose battle cry, from his first breath to his last gasp was, ‘Yet not as I will, but as you will.’

I see a man who chose to surrender his own life to the will of his Father, all for the sake of me. And you.

I see one man who faithfully and obediently lived out those nine words.

And in his obedience and victory, I can receive forgiveness, know peace, and experience joy.

And so today is the day I especially remember:

 

The God who became flesh and blood

Yet not as I will, but as you will

The God who emptied himself and took the form of a servant

Yet not as I will, but as you will

The God who was born amongst sheep and cows

Yet not as I will, but as you will

The God who was a refugee

Yet not as I will, but as you will

The God who was baptized by a scruffy prophet

Yet not as I will, but as you will

The God who was tempted in every way by Satan

Yet not as I will, but as you will

The God who called a bunch of fisherman and tax collectors to follow him

Yet not as I will, but as you will

The God who was labelled a ‘glutton’ and a ‘drunkard’

Yet not as I will, but as you will

The God who befriended ‘sinners’

Yet not as I will, but as you will

The God who allowed himself to be betrayed.

Yet not as I will, but as you will

The God who was nailed to a cross

Yet not as I will, but as you will

 

Today is the day I remember all that was given for me. Today is the day I’ll pledge my commitment to you again.

And yet, just like Peter, I’ll promise you everything and let you down three times. And a million more.

And yet still you’ll love me. Still you’ll reach out. Still you’ll never give up on me. Still you’ll offer your forgiveness.

 

Yet not as I will, but as you will.