In The Garden - Matthew 26:31-56 - March 1, 2026

But he willingly took it for the joy set before him, and that is us, friends. We are the joy that was set before him. He knew the cost, and he said it's worth it. He said the redemption of my people is worth it. So if you want that peace in the times of distress, you want that faith to be solid. No. I'm not saying that it's not that it's that it's not hard. I'm not saying that whatsoever. But there's a peace in the struggle because of Jesus Christ. [01:24:36] (33 seconds)  #PeaceInTheStruggle

Here's the thing. You've got to come to that point where you are ready to surrender what you think you have. Right? You've got to come to that point where you surrender your life to him, where you say, I am a wretched sinner. I am rebellious, and I'm destined for hell on my own. And there is no good works in me that can get me to heaven. There is no amount of money that can get me to heaven. There is no amount of good works. There's no amount of Sunday mornings in a in a pew or in Sunday school that can get you to heaven. The only thing that can get you to heaven is the blood of Jesus Christ. [01:25:42] (37 seconds)  #OnlyByJesus

So when Jesus is in the garden, when he was praying this, he knows that he's gonna be crucified. He knows that those spikes gonna be driven in his wrists. He knows that they're gonna be at his feet. He knows he's gonna be beaten. He knows about the crown of thorns. He knows all of the things that are gonna happen. The excruciating pain that is awaiting him but more so than that is the fact that the wrath of god is going to be poured out on him while he hangs on the cross [01:05:26] (22 seconds)  #JesusTookOurWrath

Like, because if our savior is in so much stress that he is sweating blood, stress is a part of life. Distress is a part of life. The way we respond to that is the important part and that's what we see doing here. He's withdrawing because he knows his true source is only gonna come through the father. That's the only source of of strength and power he has is through the father. He's gonna withdraw from all the other stuff. He's going to get away and just be with his father. [01:00:05] (24 seconds)  #SeekTheFather

That is a gift we want to take full advantage of. The creator of the universe longs to hear your voice. Talk to him. Listen to him. And I will say, even in these times of distress, there will be peace there. That blessed be the blessed be your name got me this morning. Daniel wasn't up here. He usually smiles when I start to cry, but he wasn't here this morning. [01:22:42] (31 seconds)  #TalkToGod

No longer does god look at us and see our sin. He looks at us through the lens of his son, Jesus Christ, and sees us as the righteous saints because of what his son did for us on the cross. And that's why he went to the cross. That's why he had, that's why the plan was for him to go to the cross. [01:08:00] (20 seconds)  #RighteousInChrist

So, it's great to have all this head knowledge. It's great to be able to answer all the questions because I used to be that guy. I could answer all the questions and I had no relationship with Jesus Christ whatsoever. But to know with your head and your heart who Jesus is changes everything. To know that when he was on that cross, he was there in your place. That you deserve the wrath of God that was poured out on our savior. [01:24:06] (30 seconds)  #KnowJesusPersonally

Because for the first time in history, father and son were separated. Because our sins, the sins of the world were gonna be poured out on the spotless lamb of god, Jesus Christ. This is the cup that he is talking about. If this cup can pass. So, we say, if it's possible, all things are possible for you. If there's any other way, the need to experience absence from your presence, make it so. Is what Jesus is praying. [01:05:52] (32 seconds)  #GethsemaneCup