The Prayer Jesus Did Not Pray

Matthew 26:47-56

Thesis: We should, like Jesus, do what is right in spite of wanting to do otherwise.

Introduction:

1. We all have weak points in our lives.

2. The key is to let Christ live in us (Gal. 2:20).

3. We can learn from Jesus’ example.

Discussion:

Let us consider...

I. Some prayers Jesus did utter.

A. Matthew 26:26, 27

B. John 14:13; 15:7; 16:23

C. John 17:1-26 – High Priestly prayer

D. Matthew 26:39-46 – Approaching trial and crucifixion

II. The prayer Jesus did not utter.

A. Matthew 26:53

B. What would you do? Calling on 12 legions[1] of angels would be tempting, easy,

pain free and authoritative.

III. The reason Jesus avoided that prayer.

A. His Obedience (Phil. 2:8)

1. Jesus spent considerable time in prayer agonizing, resolving, fulfilling God’s will.

He prayed, “…not my will, but thine…” (Mt. 26:39c).

2. Jesus had to triumph over Satan’s battles and assaults. Satan fought hard, but

Jesus won.

3. Jesus resolved in his heart to obey the Father’s will, and to muffle that prayer.

He had purpose, and he could not be deterred in his mission (Phil. 2:8; 1 Pet.

2:24).

B. His Righteousness (Rom. 3:5)

1. Jesus declared God’s righteousness. Blood must be shed for sin (Rom. 3:25).

2. Jesus addressed the guilt of sin by becoming sin (2 Cor. 5:21).

Charles Hodge said, “God Himself…gave Himself…to save us…from

Himself!”[2]

3. Jesus came to destroy Satan’s works (1 Jn. 3:18).

4. Jesus brought grace and truth to finally deal with the sin problem that plagued

humanity through the ages (Jn. 1:17).

5. Jesus’ righteousness prevented him from satisfying his own desire.

C. His Loving-kindness (Jn. 3:16)

1. Jesus’ death expressed to us God’s love for humanity (Jn. 3:16).

2. His love for us put him last.

3. Jesus sacrificed his body; but also his equality with God (Phil. 2:6-7).

4. God demonstrated his love for us while we were sinners (Rom. 5:8).

5. In giving himself, Jesus showed us the greatest form of love (Jn. 15:13).

IV. What Christians learn.

A. What we have seen is that Jesus resolved to be our Savior even though He would

have to walk through the fire of suffering.

B. He prayed for strength, not escape; he came to deliver, not to be delivered.

C. Application

1. Am I obedient, like Jesus?

2. Do I live righteously, like Jesus?

3. Do I put others before myself, like Jesus?

Conclusion:

1. Jesus’ enemies made two truthful claims against him.

A. “You can’t come down from the cross” (Mt. 27:40).

B. “God can’t save him; he can’t save himself” (Mt. 27:42, 43).

2. Faithful Christians must exercise restraint and serve God’s purpose for this life.

   1 A legion in the Roman army was 3,000 to 6,000 infantry troops and 100 to 200 cavalry (Nelson Bible Dictionary), which would be an overwhelming number of avengers for God’s son (consider Isaiah 37:36).

   2 Charles B. Hodge, Jr., The Agony and Glory of the Cross, Resource Publication: 2007, p. 4.