He knelt alone beneath the branches of the trees, holy features twisted by the agony of foreknowledge. Mocking spirits seemed to luck behind every tree, but the three men sleeping nearby remained unaware. Still, the man prayed.
“Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” (Luke 22:42)
Flesh warring with spirit, the one they called Christ waged a personal battle as heaven responded with silence. The call to sacrifice remained. He would exchange purity for imperfection, holiness for degradation, the Father’s love for Satan’s hatred, and life for death.
Not even his three closest friends remained to support him as the time of crisis neared. Alone, isolated, and betrayed, the Miracle Worker bent in submission to the Father’s will.

[bbctt tweet="The Miracle Worker bent in submission to the Father's will."]

While the first garden, Paradise, served as the seat of man’s defeat, the second garden, Gethsemane, served as the beginning of man’s hope for here Christ conquered flesh and willingly gave himself into the hands of those who held no power over the creator of all.
I imagine Jesus rising as the sounds of the mob fill the space where angels had tread. Resolute with purpose, his will steeled for the suffering that lay ahead, our Lord wiped sandy ashes from his tunic and pauses.
They are only dust; Father forgive them.
Jesus, the holy and blameless Lamb, offered himself as the final and complete sacrifice to satisfy the cost of sin. He walked into the pit of hell that we might be rescued from it; no longer captive to the schemes of our Enemy.

[bbctt tweet="Jesus, the holy and blameless Lamb, offered himself as the final and complete sacrifice to satisfy the cost of sin. ."]

The God “who owns the cattle on a thousand hills” (Psalm 50:10) stepped out of eternity into time and embraced poverty and pain. The One who breathed life into creation experienced betrayal and bloodshed. The Almighty who healed others with a word chose ridicule for our redemption.
Above all, the perfect and powerful perseverance of Christ led to victory over death for all who believe. He is risen!
Peace and grace,
Tammy
I often link up with the following wonderful bloggers-
Mondays   InstaEncouragements/ Anita Ojeda, Mandy and Michele, Kingdom Bloggers,
Tuesdays RaRa Linkup /GraceFull Tuesday / Tell His Story/Anchored Abode,
Wednesdays   Worth Beyond Rubies, Recharge Wednesday / Welcome Wednesday /LetsHave Coffee
Thursdays Heart Encouragement  /  Tune In Thursday  /Salt and Light /  Five Minute Friday
Friday Counting My Blessings, Faith on Fire, Blogger Voices Network, Grace and Truth Linkup,best-of-the-weekend