Matthew 26:36-39 Then comes Jesus with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to the disciples, Sit you here, while I go and pray yonder.… The entire resignation of our wills to the disposing will of God is the indispensable duty of Christians under the sharpest afflictions. I. What is consistent with this resignation? 1. An earnest deprecation of an impending judgment is reconcilable with our submission to the pleasure of God, declared by the event. 2. A mournful sense of afflictions sent from God, is consistent with a dutiful resignation of ourselves to His will. II. What is included in the resignment of ourselves to God in times of affliction. 1. The understanding approves the severest dispensations of Providence to be good, that is, for reasons, though sometimes unsearchable, yet always righteous, and for gracious ends to the saints. 2. This resignment principally consists in the consent and subjection of the will to the orders of heaven. 3. The duty of resignation consists in the composure of the affections to a just measure and temper, when under the sharpest discipline. III. The reasons to convince us of this duty of resigning ourselves and all our interests to God. 1. The first argument arises from God's original supreme right in our persons, and all things we enjoy. 2. The righteousness of God in all His ways, if duly considered, will compose the afflicted spirit to quiet and humble submission. 3. His power is immense and uncontrollable, and it is a vain attempt to contend with Him, as if the eternal order of His decrees could be altered or broken. 4. His paternal love in sending afflictions is a sufficient argument to win our compliance with His will. (1) All His sons are under the discipline of the rod; and who would be so unhappy as to be exempted from that number for all the prosperity in the world? (2) Chastisement is the effect of His parental love. (W. Bates.) Parallel Verses KJV: Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder. |
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