May 29, 20234 min read

Thank You!

I heard a comment last week that changed, entirely, the way I thought about something.

But first let me say thank you to all of the men and women who died while serving in the United States military. Where would we be as a nation if not for those thousands and thousands and tens of thousands of sacrifices? In fact, according to estimates released by the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs, nearly 500,000 military personal died during the U.S. Civil War alone.

Over 4,430 U.S. Military members lost their lives during the Revolutionary War.

The War of 1812 saw 2,260 lives lost.

Indian Wars: 1,000.

Mexican War: 13,283.

Spanish-American War: 2,446.

World War I: 116,516.

World War II: 405,399.

Korean War: 54,246.

Vietnam War: 90,220.

The Persian Gulf War: 1,565.

Global War on Terror: 6,852

And, according to pbs.org, out of a nation of nearly 329 million people, 1.3 million Americans are in active-duty military, and another 800,000 serve in the reserves, according to the Department of Defense. Thank you to those who serve. Thank you to the families of those who serve. Thank you to those who served and never came home. We owe our lives to you.

John 15:13 says, “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.”

Jesus went on to say, “You are My friends…No longer do I call you servants…but I have called you friends…You did not choose Me, but I chose you…” John 15:14-16 NKJV

Jesus of course would then go on to die on the cross. A torturous death because He calls us friend. It’s almost too much to process.

Now, to the thing I learned last week.

I could not tell you the number of times I have heard or read Revelation 14:12.

This verse is referencing end-time events. People are not able to shop for groceries or pay their mortgage or in any way use money to buy or sell. Christian’s are being persecuted. Times are very bad!

And then there in verse 12: “Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.”

Patience is better translated steadfastness or.

I have always “heard” this verse to mean this:

“Here is an example of Christian perseverance: keep the commandments of God and have faith in Jesus.”

It’s subtle but makes a large difference! Do you see it? Before I thought the verse was telling me those who are saved have two distinctions. Number 1 they will be keeping the 10 Commandments. Number 2 they will have all of their faith in Jesus. But, that is not what it is saying.

Look again: faith of Jesus vs. faith in Jesus.

I have faith in Jesus. But do I have the faith of Jesus? In order to find that answer, we must first look at Jesus’ faith and for that we must go to the garden.

This is not the Garden of Eden the book of Genesis introduces us to. This is not the beginning of earth’s history and Jesus has just created all living things. No this is the garden of agony: The Garden of Gethsemane.

Gethsemane means “Oil-press” and was an olive-yard or orchard at the foot of the Mont of Olives.

“Coming out, He went to the Mount of Olives, as He was accustomed, and His disciples also followed Him…And He was withdrawn from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and prayed, saying, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.”…And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.” Luke 22:39-44 NKJV

Do you see it yet? Do you see the faith of Jesus?

“Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” Matthew 26:39

“He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.” Matthew 26:42

“So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing.” Matthew 26:44 NKJV

Matthew records three times Jesus begged His Father to not force Him to do this thing. Anything but this. He had never felt separation from His Father, but today, today in the garden, He was desperate. PLEASE FATHER.

“Yet not as I will, but as you will.” That my friend was the faith of Jesus.

He could not see the end. In that moment, sweating blood, He could not see beyond the cross. He could not see beyond the tomb. He was afraid, and yet He chose to go ahead.

He could have called ten thousand angels

To destroy the world and set him free