God’s Great Blessings (Spring Quarter March - May 2023)

UNIT II: By His Sacrifice

Lesson for March 26, 2023: Submitting to the Father’s Will

Approximate Time: AD 30     Place: Mount of Olives

Lesson Text: Matthew 26:36-50

We are in the second Unit (II) of our lesson booklet and our focus turns from displeasing men to submitting to the Father’s Will. Jesus aroused opposition. As the editorial writer (Kenneth Sponsler) puts it: “When Jesus came to earth as a man, He was entering enemy territory. Ever since Adam’s fall in Eden, mankind has been under the thrall of evil (I John 5:19) and living in enmity (bitter attitude or hostility) toward God (Romans 8:7; James 4:4)”.

Our lesson this week tells us ‘What would Jesus do?’ kind of message on how He submitted to the Father’s Will. I refer to them as parables in action. Jesus held a supper for His Disciples and He prayed alone to His Father…three times. The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke provide a thorough account of these two events.

Parable One: At the Lord’s Last Supper, Jesus shared a Passover meal at the home of one he had cured. He announced that he would be betrayed and ‘disowned’ three times. Then Jesus broke the bread and spoke. “Take it; this is my body.” (Mark 14:22) “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many. I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the Kingdom of God.” (Matthew 26:27-29; Mark 14:23-25) Receiving the Last Supper, the bread, and wine with Jesus meant His followers accept Jesus as the Messiah who suffers and dies on their behalf.

Lesson for everyone: This is how we are to remember Jesus as the Messiah. This is how we please God – by showing our faith that Jesus died on the cross for our sins through communion.

Parable Two: The three prayers are in the Garden of Gethsemane (a privately owned olive grove located at the foot of the Mount of Olives and not far from the Temple). Prayer one – Jesus wanted to make sure the plan was still in place – “I am your obedient Son and the suffering Savior for all mankind.” An Angel then appeared to strengthen Him. Prayer two – Jesus submits to the will of God – “Thy will be done.” Prayer three – Jesus repeats – “I am willing to do my Fathers will.”

Parables are stories with a lesson. Of all the parables Jesus used in His ministries, He was not the subject. This time He was.

Lesson for everyone: This is how we pray to God: We are persistent in our requests and we are ready to accept God’s answers. It is God’s will and not ours that is important in the prayers we offer to God.

The Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9:13) follows The Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-12) and were taught by Jesus to His Disciples and followers. We are to please God not only with our prayers, but by reading scriptures from the Bible. These are some of the most recited scriptures:

Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:3, 4, 7, 8, 12-17)

Twenty-third Psalm (Psalm 23)

Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-12)

The Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13)

God’s Love (John 3:16-17)

The Gospel of John does not provide specific account of the events of the Last Supper and the Garden of Gethsemane. However, John provides his interpretation of the events: John 13 – Jesus sets an example for His Disciples when He washes His Disciples feet. Jesus predicts His betrayal and Peter’s denial. John 14 – Jesus comforts His Disciples. “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”(14:6) Then, Jesus promises the Holy Spirit – “Whoever has and keeps my commands is the one who loves me and the one who loves me will be loved by my Father.”(14:21)

Chapter 14:25 is where Jesus reminds His Disciples that the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in My name will teach you and remind you of everything, I have said to you. In the Gospel of John, Jesus’ farewell is about unity and the Holy Spirit. This is the Easter message our world needs to hear today.

 Blessings, Linda