Happy Easter everyone! As usual, I pray that all is well and all will be well in your lives.
This weekend we celebrate what was done for us almost two thousand years ago: the crucifixion and the resurrection of our lord and savior Jesus Christ. I think everyone knows the story, but if you don’t, please take the time and read it for yourself in anyone of the four gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke or John. Because of this, crucifixion and the resurrection, we now have access to the blood of Christ, which makes an atonement for our souls.
While we remember, reflect, and show our gratitude this weekend, there is one part that we do not pay enough attention to, and that is the prayer in the garden of Gethsemane. All four gospels talk about Jesus praying in Gethsemane before his arrest. Matthew 26:36-46, Mark 14:32-42, Luke 22:39-46 and the 17th chapter of John which gives a detail of the prayer. The prayer in the garden of Gethsemane is the true “Lord’s prayer”. Jesus prayed so hard there that he sweated profusely and even an angel had to strengthen him because he was in such agony. Everyone should take the time to read about the prayer and feel it; it should impact you.
While the other three gospels do not give a full detail of the prayer like John’s, they do contain one sentence which is not found in the gospel of John:
— Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. — Luke 22:42 (KJV)
For me, this is the most important sentence in the bible and conversely “nevertheless” the most important word. And, while I generally read and study using the New International Version, nothing has an impact on that sentence like the King James Version.
Why do I believe this is the most important sentence in the bible?
Because, the entire plan of The Trinity to save our souls since the beginning of time hinged on this one sentence and act: Jesus’ submission to the will of the Father. The entire Old Testament, all that was setup and done there over millennia, and all that we now have in the New Testament revolves around this one sentence. Everything from the animals sacrificed for Adam and Eve, the promise made to Abraham, the prophesy about the line of David, the virgin birth, the temptations Jesus faced, to his miracles and teachings all led up until this one sentence. And this doesn’t even include things done behind the scenes; things not recorded and/or for us to know, or the things yet to come. At any point in time, any one person of The Trinity could have said no: the price is too high and/or mankind is not worth it. However, for your soul and my soul, thank God for the will of the Father, thank God for the works of the Holy Ghost making it all happen, and thank God for Jesus the son saying “nevertheless”.
Nevertheless was the key to unlocking and granting us “access” to Calvary. So, saying this is the most important sentence in the bible does not diminish any other part of the bible. What I’m saying is we could not have benefited from any of it without this one act. It’s like a person dying of thirst (our lost soul) and there is a fountain of water (the blood of Christ) that could save us, but it’s locked behind a gate. Somewhere someone has a key to that gate. That someone is Jesus and the key is/was nevertheless.
It is impossible to sum up God, but if I had to choose one sentence or one word, I would choose the word “nevertheless”, in context, for it prophesies his God level love.
May God bless you all this Easter.
May God bless and keep all who read this.
May God bless and keep all brothers and sisters, new and old, in the faith in his name.
With his love and mine,
Chrom