Today’s verse: Luke 22:42
What exactly does it mean to be surrendered? When I think of what it means to truly surrender, the prayer that Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane comes to mind – “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” Here we see the greatest act of surrender to ever be recorded in history. Just before Jesus’ crucifixion, He asked His Father if it were possible for Him not to be given over to death. His words paint a vivid picture of what was going through His mind. I could imagine that he was thinking about all the bodily pain and agony he would have to bear for the sake of mankind.
Jesus knew He would have the embarrassment of all the indignities heaped upon Him, knowing full well He was innocent. Perhaps the most dreaded burden of all was knowing that He would be cut off from His Father and have to bear everything alone. Yet He said, “Not my will, but Yours be done.” Jesus desired for some other way to be found for the payment of our sins, but despite that, He gave Himself over to the will of God. Why? He knew His Father so well that he trusted His way over His. He understood what His purpose was, which was to “do the will of Him who sent Him, and to finish His work.” (John 4:34)
Jesus’ act of surrender is the perfect example of what true surrender should look like. You may say, “Jesus was God in flesh. His life was surrendered before he even came to earth.” But the surrendered life is not imposed on anyone, including Jesus. Jesus never did anything on his own. He made no move and spoke no word without being instructed by the Father. “I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things…for I do always those things that please him” (John 8:28-29). Jesus spoke these words as a man. After all, he came to earth to live not as God but as a human being. He experienced life the way we do. And, like us, he had a will of his own. He chose to fully surrender that will to the Father.
The surrendered life is dedicating the life He gave you back to Him. It’s relinquishing control, rights, power, direction, and everything you do and say. It’s totally resigning your life over to his hands, to do with you as he pleases. Like Jesus, we too can choose to live that surrendered life.
Question for reflection:
What comes to mind when you hear the word ‘surrender’ and what would surrendering to God look like for you?
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Angelisa is a Jesus enthusiast, Worship leader & Christian youth leader. She considers herself to be the old-fashioned type of girl who loves spicy food and belly bottom laughter. Among her passions are singing, working with children, and encouraging others.