the unity between
On the eve before Jesus would be delivered to Pilot, he took the disciples to a garden in a place called Gethsemane. Jesus tells Peter and the two sons of Zebedee “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me.” Matthew 26:39 says he goes a little further and
says one simple yet profound prayer,
“My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.”
Even in the midst of Jesus’ extreme emotion, as he pours his heart out to the Father, he doesn’t neglect his understanding of God’s will. WOW!! Here Jesus is getting ready to lay his life down to fulfill the will of his father, I can only imagine the intense emotions he was feeling, he even admits his soul is sorrowful. YET he still understood his purpose and the purpose of God’s will.
It’s important to understand that Jesus’ heart and mind were aligned with God’s word. Our hearts and minds must also align with God’s will. Jesus provides us with examples of what it looks like to never rely too much on one or the other throughout his entire time on earth. Not only did Jesus pray once for “this cup to pass” but also twice.
“My father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.”
Matthew 26:42
How powerful. Jesus is facing his crucifixion and prays to God surrendering himself to him. He cultivates a unity between his heart and his mind that aligns with the purpose of God. The cross is the ultimate display of a man who let both his heart and his mind guide him to do what was necessary to accomplish God’s will.
Jesus’ life shows us that our heads and our hearts are meant to work as two separate parts of one engine. Your heart and mind must work seamlessly together to create a spiritual walk that has both knowledge and passion.
Jesus was perfect, so he provided us with perfect examples. You and I are not, so there will be times we mess up, but that’s where God’s grace and love cover us. So how can we cultivate unity between? Just as Jesus did, we cry out to our Father. We look to him for guidance– guidance to fulfill His will for our lives. Even when it’s uncomfortable, scary, & it doesn’t make sense.
A verse that I’ve looked to throughout this last month during this series is 1 Chronicles 28:9. In this verse, David is talking to Solomon. David says “And you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve him with a whole heart and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches all hearts and understands every plan and thought.” Note: “WHOLE HEART AND WILLING MIND.”
So, will you choose to be all in? Will you serve him with your whole heart and a willing mind?
Cultivate a unity between your mind and your heart!!
