We’re considering Jesus’ example of governing himself, managing his emotional reactivity, and restraining his impulsivity while in Gethsemane.
Jesus is warring in prayer alone. Scripture records that, being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground. [Luke 22:44] I don’t know what all that means other than his struggle was intense—more than he’d ever experienced.
His request in essence is “Father, is there any other way? Ok then, your will be done.”
In his humanity, wouldn’t Jesus have wanted a way out? Wouldn’t his impulse be to give in? To give up? To escape the burden crushing his soul?
Jesus, our example of self-leadership, restrains his very human impulse to escape the intensity of this assignment, and subordinates his emotional reactivity to the commitment to his Father that would benefit all humanity.
It is important to point out that he didn’t achieve this by his own power or determination. Coming to the end of himself, Jesus cries out to the Father who sends an angel. The angel appears and strengthens him. [Luke 22:43]
-Kirk Kirlin, from the book “Leadership Courage,” more at www.KirlinCoaching.com/blog/#leadership #courage #pastor #Jesus #courageousleadership #LeadershipCourage #discipleship