He who did not spare His own Son, but gave him up for us all – how will He not also, along with Him,
graciously give us all things? Romans 8:32
The omnipotent Creator, who brought the world to existence, gave His only Son to be crucified
so that we can experience salvation and freedom. His Son’s death gave you and I can eternal
life. He knew fully well how His Son would have to suffer for us. Despite what Jesus endured the
Father still allowed Him to go through it. Let us accept this miracle with faith and gratitude.
He knelt and prayed, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me, yet not my will but yours be
done” Luke 22:41-42
Just as God knew his Son would have to suffer for the sins of mankind, Jesus knew that a
terrible cup of sorrow awaited him. “Yet it was the Lord’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer
“writes Isaiah 53:10 Jesus knew there was no escaping the way of the cross. And yet because he
was also human, He asked if the Father would take the cup from Him.
In Mark 14:34 we find Jesus’s heart-rending confession “My heart is overwhelmed with sorrow to
the point of death” Jesus knew that his Heavenly Father could change his circumstances but
chose to abide by the will of his Father.
We too become distressed and anxious at times when God does not respond to our prayers,
even though we know that everything is possible with Him. God says no to His children as He
did to his Son Jesus, because He has a greater purpose for us. If God had agreed to Jesus’s
request, His coming into this world would have been in vain. Whenever God says no, we realize
afterwards that He indeed knew best. “And we know that God causes everything to work together”
Romans 8:28 for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.
After Jesus accepted God’s will, God sent an angel to strengthen him. God will also strengthen
you in times of suffering, if you are willing to place His will first.
“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation”. Mark 14:38.
He took three of his disciples with him to Gethsemane for support. But they failed him
miserably. They failed to stay awake and pray with Jesus and kept falling asleep until Jesus had
to tell them His hour had come. Just as he was speaking, Judas appeared. “With him was a crowd
armed with swords and clubs” the bible says. The disciples could not stay awake with the Master
for an hour. They did not follow Jesus’s advice to watch and pray so that they would not fall
into temptation. It is also necessary for us to watch and pray if we want to resist worldly
temptation.
As sisters in the Federation, we pray for our sisters around the world in every situation of
powerlessness, situations they cannot control as we give thanks for the Easter message that In
Christ alone our hope is built. For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing
but for us who are saved it is the power of God.
1 Corinthians 1:18.
As we walk the way of the cross each day it is a revival for us. Let us remember that revival is
just the life of the Lord Jesus poured into human hearts. Jesus is always victorious. In heaven
they are praising Him all the time for His victory. Whatever may be our experience of failure
and barrenness, He is never defeated. His power is boundless, and our part is to only have a
relationship with Him, and we will see His power being demonstrated in our hearts, lives and
service. His victorious life will fill us and overflow through us to others. That is the revival in
essence.
Sisters let us “Go and bear fruit, not just fruit but fruit that will last.”
Blessings.
Sipiwe Chisvo
World President.
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