“And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives." Mark 14:26
At first glance, the above verse seems innocuous enough. Until you consider the context. Jesus Christ, knowing the cup of God’s wrath he was about to drink, responded to his Father in a remarkable way. With praise. How do you respond to difficulty? What is expressed from your life when faced with a cup that you would rather not drink from? At this point, many people would say, “In times of trouble you need to praise.” I know on our own, we can’t do that. We won’t do it. So how does this response come about? The only way for you and me to respond in a Christ like way to hardship and trouble, is not to try hard to praise, but is to first look to the One who did it for you. You see, it’s only when you see, that in that very moment, Jesus began to praise in your place. When you see that Jesus Christ lived the life you should have lived, and then took the death you deserved, can you be moved out of joy to worship even in difficulty. If you are one who is facing a cup that you would rather turn from, look to Jesus. He took a cup that was far worse. He took the cup of God’s wrath. He praised his Father in the face of it, all for you. If that doesn’t bring a smile to your face, and strength to your steps, and a song of thanksgiving to your heart, then pause and remember the depths He went for you. I pray that we are impressed with our Savior so much, that in the face of anything, we can respond to what He did with a song in our hearts, and strength in our steps!
