Clash of Wills

Scripture Text: Mark 14:12-42

These are some of the final moments Jesus has with his disciples before his death. First they celebrate at the festival of Unleavened Bread, also known as Passover. From there they are off to the garden for Jesus to pray.

Even though the disciples are not clear, Jesus is clear the events of the next 24 hours of their lives. In a very vulnerable and candid way, Jesus cries out to God to find another way to bring about the reconciliation of all people. Yet, Jesus shows us it is not about what we want. Rather is is about what has to happen so that all of creation can find restoration.

From birth on humans want life to happen on their terms. When things do not go as we see fit, we often pitch a fit. Complaints start to fly and we begin to wonder if God really loves us because things are not working out the way we think they should. After all isn't the journey of a Christ follower suppose to be easy and carefree, always working just as planned? What about when our plans and the hopes and desires of God are in conflict?

One of the greatest challenges in marriage is that it is the joining together of two selfish people. In some regard all people have a degree of selfishness, and at different times in our lives this selfishness shows up in greater degrees. When you are married it is only a matter of time before there is a clash of the selfishness of two people who want things to be their way.

This can be seen in a humorous way, really it is funny and does not matter, by asking what is the right way to put on a new roll of toilet paper. Is it proper to have it roll off the top or bottom? Often we have a preference and might not know it until someone does it wrong, especially if it is our spouse. By the way, the correct way is to simply replace to roll when it is empty.

More seriously, if marriage is about getting our will accomplished there is a good chance we will spend a lot of time frustrated and angry at our spouse. To cultivate a healthy marriage we have to be willing to push aside the way we want things to happen for the sake of what is best for our marriage. This is especially powerful when both partners in the marriage are willing to do this. In fact we can only fully submit to our partner if both spouses are willing to echo the words of Jesus, not my will but yours be done.