Resurrection Sunday is early this year, April 5, just about a month away. Each year as we approach Easter, I read through that final week of Jesus’ life leading up to His death on the cross. I don’t start with any particular Gospel account, nor always with the very first event—the Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem.

I always find myself, however, in the Garden of Gethsemane with Jesus. That event is the decisive moment when Jesus sets His will to the will of the Father. (Matthew 26:36-46, Mark 14:32-42, Luke 22:39-46.)

In those three accounts we learn that Jesus asked the Father to take the cup of suffering away. “Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me,” but surrendered to the Father’s will. “Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” [NLT]

In the Garden, “he became deeply troubled and distressed,” and His soul was crushed with grief, so intense it took Him “to the point of death.” His agony was so great that an angel from heaven appeared to strengthen him, so great that “his sweat fell to the ground like great drops of blood.” [NLT]

But the most amazing thing about that Gethsemane experience is that from then on you find Jesus in complete command. He was in command during the betrayal. He was in command during the trials – answering questions only when He chose to. Even on the cross He was in command, forgiving sins, granting salvation to a thief, and giving up His Spirit to God.

And gloriously in command when He declared, “It is finished (and will forever remain finished)!”

Amen & Amen