strangest things that Jesus did number one why did Jesus pray to God if he is God many have wondered why Jesus often withdrew to pray in the gospels for example Luke tells us that he did so frequently Luke 516 Amplified Bible but Jesus himself would often slip away to the Wilderness and pray seclusion if Jesus is God does that mean he is conversing with himself this is an intriguing question that invites us to delve into the depths of Jesus's humanity and divine nature there is only one God who exists eternally as three distinct persons the
Father the Son and the Holy Spirit this does not imply that there are three Gods but rather one God in three persons to clarify just as water can exist as ice liquid or Steam and still be water God exists as Father Son and Holy Spirit while still being one God John 1426 Amplified Bible but the helper comforter Advocate intercessor counselor strengthener stand by the Holy Spirit whom the father will send in my name in my place to represent me and act on my behalf he will teach you all things and he will help you remember
everything that I have told you in this passage Jesus mentions the Holy Spirit as a separate individual who Ascent by the father and operates in Jesus's name this highlights the unity and distinct roles within the Trinity however this understanding has led to a question that perplexes many if Jesus is part of the Trinity and is God why did he feel the need to pray this question is fundamental to Jesus's mission and Earthly Ministry Jesus who was born fully God and fully man used to pray during his time on Earth by examining his prayers we can
learn more about his relationship with the father how he fulfilled his role on Earth and also gain insight into how to communicate with God we invite you to join us as we explore the beautiful complexity of Jesus's prayers and what they can teach us about our own spiritual lives the nature of Jesus Jesus is an extraordinary and unique figure because he is both fully God and fully human this means that Jesus possesses all the characteristics of God and can perform Miracles that only God can perform moreover Jesus can relate to us as humans because he
experienced all the Temptations and struggles that come with being human ultimately Jesus came to rescue us from sin and reconcile us to God the nature of Jesus is a central mystery of Faith he was born fully Divine and fully human he experienced hunger pain and death yet possessed all the extraordinary powers of a Divine being Jesus's unique nature enables us to understand how he could perform incredible Feats while also experiencing the struggles and challenges of human life the significance of Jesus's life death and Resurrection is rooted in his ability to reconcile these seemingly contradictory aspects
of his being the purpose of Jesus's prayers model for Humanity Jesus showed us the best way to talk and live with God dependence on the father Jesus lived in a way that showed us he did nothing by his own will he said John 519 Amplified Bible so Jesus answered them by saying I assure you and most solemnly say to you the son can do nothing of himself of his own accord unless it is something he sees the father doing for whatever things the father does the son in his turn also does in the same way
this means that Jesus waited for God to show him the way before taking any action it's similar to how a child observes and learns from their parent and doesn't try to do everything on their own and when things became extremely difficult just before he was taken away to be crucified Jesus prayed fervently Luke 2242 Amplified Bible saying father if you are willing remove this cup of divine wrath from me yet not my will but always yours be done this shows he trusted God's plan more than his own feelings even when he was afraid another purpose
of Jesus's prayers was teaching disciples to pray Jesus didn't keep his prayer life a secret he shared it with his friends the disciples one day they asked him to teach them to pray he said when you pray say father Hallowed Be Your Name Your Kingdom come give us each day our daily bread and forgive us our sins for we ourselves also forgive everyone who is indebted to us who has offended or wronged us and lead us not into temptation but rescue Us from Evil Luke 11 1:4 Amplified Bible in the Lord's Prayer also known as
the disciples prayer Jesus taught his followers that prayer is a way of communicating with God about everything he emphasized the importance of using God's name with respect asking for what we need admitting our mistakes and asking asking for help to live right Jesus's prayers serve as a perfect guide for us on how to live a life close to God talk to him about everything and trust him with our lives another purpose of Jesus's prayers was expression of human emotion and need Jesus demonstrated relatable human emotions and needs here are some ways he expressed these traits
grief and distress in a garden called Gethsemane which was a peaceful Park filled with olive trees Jesus felt an intense Sadness the kind that weighs down your heart and is hard to Bear the Bible says then he said to them my soul is deeply grieved so that I am almost dying of Sorrow stay here and stay awake and keep watch with me Matthew 2638 imagine Jesus known for his healing and help for others was so overwhelmed with sadness that he said it could almost kill him he walked a little farther into the garden fell on
his face and prayed to God and after going a little farther he fell face down and prayed saying my father if it is possible that is consistent with your will let this cup pass from me yet not as I will but as you will Matthew 2639 this cup he talked about was like a symbol for the hard task he knew he had to do die on the cross he didn't want to suffer but he was willing to do what God wanted seeking strength and guidance in another part of the Bible Luke 61 12-13 it shows
Jesus seeking strength and advice it says now at this time Jesus went off to the mountain to pray and he spent the whole night in prayer to God when day came he called his disciples and selected 12 of them whom he also named Apostles special Messengers personally chosen Representatives when Jesus had to make a big decision of choosing 12 close friends to help him share his teachings he spent the entire night talking to God it wasn't just a quick conversation but hours of asking for help guidance and strength by praying all night Jesus showed that
he too needed support and wisdom and he found it by connecting deeply with God these stories remind us that Jesus wasn't just a spiritual figure but also a person who experienced Deep Emotions and had needs like anyone else he felt overwhelming sadness sought out quiet places to ask for guidance this shows us that it's okay for us to do the same when we're facing tough times or big decisions fulfilling human righteousness living the perfect human life that we could not as we delve into the stories and teachings of the Bible we discover that Jesus didn't
merely live an exemplary life but rather he lived the perfect human life fulfilling all righteousness this implies that Jesus lived in absolute obedience and submission to God his father which is something we struggle to achieve every day the Bible tells us in the book of Hebrews in the days of his Earthly life Jesus offered up both specific petitions and Urgent supplications for that which he needed with fervent crying and tears to the one who was always able to save him from death and he was heard because of his reverent submission toward God his sinlessness and
his unfailing determination to do the father's will although he was a son who had never been disobedient to the father he learned active special obedience through what he suffered Hebrews 5 7 to8 this was how Jesus even though he was God's son learned to obey through the things he suffered his prayers were not just Whispers in the quiet but passionate pleas filled with real tears yet he always obeyed no matter what it cost him Philippians 28 adds another layer to this by saying after he was found in terms of his outward appearance as a man
for a divinely appointed time he humbled himself still further by becoming obedient to the father to the point of death even death on a cross Jesus's obedience was not limited to easy situations it extended to the point where he accepted a painful and humiliating death on the cross his life was not a series of effortless decisions instead it was a Contin ous submission to God's will he followed God's will regardless of the end result even when it led to his crucifixion the most remarkable aspect of Jesus's life was that he was fully human like us
he was exposed to the same emotions Temptations and pain as humans but he never failed in his obedience and submission every action word and thought was in perfect harmony with God's desires he did not live for himself but lived for God and US Jesus's perfect life is significant because it did something extraordinary for us where we fail to be righteous his life offers us a chance to be seen as righteous before God it's like he took the test of life and scored 100% on behalf PA of humanity so when we believe in him it's as
if his perfect score gets put on our record imagine trying to follow a recipe perfect without making a single mistake for us that's impossible we might mix the wrong ingredients or measure incorrectly or overcook the meal but Jesus in the kitchen of Life followed God's recipe without error he lived the life we were supposed to live and offered us the reward as if we did it ourselves by understanding Jesus's perfect obedience and submission we can appreciate the Incredible Gift that is offered to us through faith in him it's a gift that encourages us not because
we can earn it but because it's freely given a testament to the perfect life he lived on our our behalf the importance of prayer in Jesus's life in the life of Jesus prayer wasn't just something he did out of religious Duty or as a public display it was as natural and essential as breathing a Lifeline to his father maintaining communion with the Father prayer for Jesus was about staying connected it was like the unbreakable bond between a child and a parent although Jesus was the son of God he still spoke with God demonstrating that he
relied on this connection for strength and guidance this teaches us something significant about prayer it's not only about requesting things it's also about keeping our relationship with God active and vibrant look at what happened right after Jesus was baptized now when all the people were baptized Jesus was also baptized and while he was praying the invisible heaven was opened Luke 3:21 at that moment it felt like heaven had come down to confirm their profound relationship Jesus remained in constant communication with his father and during these exchanges remarkable things occurred decisions were made strength was imparted
and love was exchanged an act of love and Trust within the Trinity prayer was also an act of love and Trust within the Trinity Father Son and Holy Spirit Jesus even being God expressed his trust in the father through prayer for example when he was about to raise Lazarus from the dead so they took away the stone and Jesus raised his eyes toward heaven and said father I thank you that you have heard me I knew that you always hear me and listen to me but I have said this because of the people standing around
so that they may believe that you have sent me and that you made me your representative thank you wasn't for sh it was the son speaking to the father confident that he was heard an intimate exchange of trust and love this shows us the heart of prayer it's about trust when we pray we're stepping into that Circle of Love and Trust that's been there since before time we're saying to God I rely on you I trust you just like Jesus did finally prayer was how Jesus fully embraced Being Human the Incarnation is a fancy word
for God becoming a man in Jesus this wasn't just God putting on a human suit he became fully one of us and part of being human is recognizing we're not all powerful we need help we need God Jesus showed this when life got hard before he was arrested he went to pray in a garden called Gethsemane he was deeply troubled about what he was about to face death on a cross he prayed Luke 2242 Amplified Bible saying father if you are willing remove this cup of divine wrath from me yet not my will but always
yours be done here he's wrestling showing us it's okay to bring our deepest fears to God but also showing us that ultimately prayer is about saying God I trust your way more than mine so prayer in Jesus's life it was his way of sticking close to God showing trust and love within God's family and fully living out his human life with all its ups and downs when we pray we're following in Jesus's footsteps getting to know God up close and personal trusting him with our lives and embracing what it means to be truly human just
like Jesus did Christ's intercessory role Jesus praying for others specifically in the Book of John 17: 9-23 we find a really touching moment where Jesus who is God's son talks to his father on behalf of his friends which includes not just the disciples with him then but all of us who would ever believe in him he prays for their protection their Joy their unity and that they would be set apart and pure in the truth of God's word Jesus says I pray for them I do not pray for the world but for those you have
given me because they belong to you John 179 amplifying Bible this shows us that Jesus had a special concern for his followers he knew the challenges they would face in the world and asked God to look out for them but he doesn't stop there he also prays for all the people who believe in him through the message of the disciples I do not pray for these alone it is not for their sake only that I make this request but also for all those who will ever believe and trust in me through their message John 1720
that means Jesus thought about each of us way back then he asked his father that we all might be one just as he and the father are one it's like he wanted everyone to be in the same family united working together in love the role of Jesus as mediator between God and humans in another part of the Bible in the first letter that Paul writes to Timothy 2: 5 we get a clear explanation of a big job that Jesus has it says for there is only one God and only one mediator between God and Mankind
the man Christ Jesus 1 Timothy 2 5 a mediator is like a brdge or someone who stands in the middle to help two other people understand each other and work things out before Jesus people were separated from God because of their wrongdoings or sins Jesus came to bridge that Gap he lived a perfect life then died for our sins and rose again showing that he has power over sin and death by doing this he became the one and only goet for us and God when we make mistakes or do things we're not supposed to Jesus
is there to communicate with God on our behalf it's as if he's saying I've got this person covered father I've paid the price for their mistakes Jesus provides an amazing opportunity for us to connect directly with God we don't need any intermediaries or objects to communicate with God as Jesus is our direct line to him when we pray we can pray in Jesus's name and he will speak on our behalf ensuring that we remain connected with God in essence Jesus cares deeply for us and speaks to God on our behalf advocating for our needs protection
and unity with each other and with God as our mediator Jesus is the reason we can have a personal relationship with God despite our flaws he stands in the middle making it possible for us to be close to God prayer as a means of fulfilling his mission prayer is like a secret meeting place where we sit down with God to talk about everything on our hearts including the big job he has for us it's where we get the strength to do things that seem too big for us choose the right friends to help us and
even do amazing things that show everyone how great God is strengthening for tasks imagine being so stressed and worried that you sweat like it's raining from your forehead that's how Jesus felt while one night he knew he had to go through something super tough so what did he do he didn't just try to be brave for himself he prayed and when he did an angel from heaven appeared to him and gave him strength the Bible tells us this in Luke 22:43 saying and there appeared an angel unto him from Heaven strengthening him this shows us
that when we have big jobs to do we can pray like Jesus did and God can send us help just like a coach giving a pep talk to a player who's about to make the winning goal choosing disciples now picking your team is super important you want friends who will stick with you through thick and thin then Jesus had a big decision to make when choosing his disciples these were the men who would carry on his work after he was gone so he didn't just pick any Joe or Bob he spent a whole night talking
to God about it the Bible tells us this in Luke 61 12-13 now at this time Jesus went off to the mountain to pray and he spent the whole night in prayer to God when day came he called his disciples and selected 12 of them whom he also named Apostles special Messengers personally chosen Representatives Jesus's allight with God was his way of making sure he had the right crew when we have big choices to make like picking our friends or making a team we can hit the pause button and talk to God about it just
like Jesus did glorifying the father through Miracles then there are those moments when you need something huge to happen like a real life Miracle when Jesus was about to bring his friend Lazarus back from being dead he didn't just snap his fingers first he talked to God he thanked God for always listening to him which was like a son giving a shout out to his dad for always being there this is what he said in John 11 41-42 so they took away the stone and Jesus raised his eyes toward heaven and said father I thank
you that you have heard me I knew that you always hear me and listen to me but I have said this because of the people standing around so that they may believe that you have sent me and that you have made me your representative Jesus showed us that even when we're about to do something amazing it's not about showing off our skills but about showing off God's goodness and love he t talked to God first to make it clear that the awesome stuff that was about to happen was thanks to God not just to him
so prayer is not just about asking for stuff it's about getting ready to do great things making smart choices and giving God credit for the awesome things he does through us it's like a superpower hotline that's always open no matter what in our journey to understand why Jesus who is acknowledged as God prayed to God we've unpacked some vital points number two what does Jesus mean by I never knew you the scariest verse in the Bible introduction this is what Jesus said about those those who will be turned away when they stand before the King
of Kings Matthew 2512 Amplified Bible but he replied I assure you and most solemnly say to you I do not know you we have no relationship can you imagine working for a company for years representing the owner and speaking on their behalf only to hear them say say who are you when you return to the office the feeling of rejection would be overwhelming causing fear shock and disbelief unfortunately many people will experience this same feeling when they face their maker Paul understood how terrible it would be to hear your lord and friend say I never
knew you so he wrote to advise people in the importance of focusing on what really matters and practicing spiritual ual discipline 1 Corinthians 9 24-27 Amplified Bible do you not know that in a race all the runners run their very best to win but only one receives the prize run your race in such a way that you may seize the prize and make it yours now every athlete who goes into training and competes in the games is disciplined and exercises self-control in all things they do it to win a crown that Withers but we do
it to receive an imperishable crown that cannot wither therefore I do not run without a definite goal I do not flail around like one beating the air just Shadow Boxing but like a boxer I strictly discipline my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached the gospel to others I myself will not somehow be disqualified as unfit for [Music] service as Believers our ultimate goal should be to please and gain acceptance from our kid and not seek after the approval of men titles Faith temporary Pleasures or material wealth we should not
live our lives according to our own standards nor should we do what we think our Master would like our priority should be faithfulness to God's instructions a genuine walk with our savior a reverence for what the father commands rather than our personal opinions Paul also spoke to Timothy about the crown that had been prepared for him by the righteous God Paul was so confident that he wouldn't be turned away when he reached heaven as he had a pure conscience before God moreover he was not living as a hypocrite but was truly a child of God
chapter 2 the day of judgment it will be a joy when our journey on Earth is complete and we hear Jesus say Well done enter your father's rest Matthew 25 21-23 Amplified Bible his master said to him well done good and faithful servant you have been faithful and trustworthy over a little I will put you in charge of many things share in the joy of your master also the one who had the two talents came forward saying Master you entrusted two talents to me see I have made a profit and gained two more talents his
master said to him well done good and faithful servant you have been faithful and trustworthy over a little I will put you in charge of many things share in the joy of your master it doesn't matter how many people act as if there is no judgment at the end of our time on Earth this doesn't change the fact that God is the righteous judge and we will all stand before him to give an account of our lives however God in his Mercy has made a way for our atonement through the blood of Jesus Christ so
that we can be made right before him true worship of the father must be sincere genuine spirit-led and deep or it will hold no value before him God is more concerned about transformed lives healed people real encounters with him and true freedom from the powers of Darkness Jesus delivered his most famous message known as The Sermon on the Mount with a focus on the hearts of his listeners he addressed his disciples as the intended audience according to the Bible all judgment is committed to our Lord Jesus he has the keys to prescribe new terms of
life and death and judge people according to them this is a solemn declaration pursuant to that power it is important to note that Christ's law is laid down in Matthew 7:21 on that day many will say that we have prophesized in thy name yes it may be so balam and K were appealed to prophecy and Saul was against his will among the prophets yet that did not save them it's important to note that a man can be a preacher has talents for Ministry and a calling to it and even achieve success in it and yet
be a wicked man he may help others to heaven and it's still possible for him to fall short himself they will also say that in thy name we have cast out death Devils that may be too Judas cast out devils and yet was a son of pedition they will also say that in thy name we have done many wonderful Works real sanctification not Gifts of tongues or healing is accepted by God grace and love are better than Moving Mountains 1 Corinthians 13 1-2 amplif Bible if I speak with the tongues of men and of angels
but have not love for others growing out of God's love for me then I have become only a noisy gong or clanging symbol just an annoying distraction and if I have the gift of Prophecy and speak a new message from God to the people and understand all Mysteries and possess all knowledge and if I I have all sufficient Faith so that I can remove mountains but do not have love reaching out to others I am nothing we should be aware that relying solely on external Privileges and performances may lead us to deceive ourselves and ultimately
face Eternal destruction only those who truly serve Christ will be accepted by him on the final day mere profession of faith is not enough this serves as a reminder that one can fall from Great Heights of Hope into depths of misery everything besides Christ is like sand some people place their hopes on their worldly success While others rely on their outward show of religious beliefs and the Privileges and rituals associated with it however all these things are Fleet in and unreliable and only a true relationship with Christ can provide Lasting Hope and security Jesus acknowledges
a type of knowledge that relates to personal relationships instead of intellectual knowledge Jesus cautions that one day he will tell the set of religious practitioners I never knew you God takes no Delight in sending people to hell the people that Jesus referred to In this passage were famous for their extraordinary spiritual abilities such as prophecy casting out demons and Performing Miracles however these abilities are insignificant without a sincere relationship and connection with Jesus in summary salvation is not based on confessing your faith verbally or relying solely on Spiritual Works it instead it is based on
having a personal understanding of Jesus and being recognized by him our relationship with Jesus is crucial for our Salvation it is only when we are connected to him that we are secure and all the great works and miracles we do serve as evidence of that connection conversely without a connection to him all such Deeds are meaningless the phrase depart from me is a dreadful and terrifying one as it indicates separation from Jesus the true test of one's faith in Christ is their obedience to the will of the father simply claiming to believe and saying Lord
Lord is not enough one must also follow and obey the commands of the Lord it is possible to know and use religious vocabulary memorize Bible verses and religious hymns but still fail to follow God's will those who have been truly born again have the spirit of God dwelling within them by the help of the Holy Spirit they are able to comprehend and follow the will of the father God's love in their hearts drives them to obey God and serve others once the door is closed it will never open again although some may hold on to
hope that it may there is no scriptural basis for such an exception we cannot lightly dismiss this sermon for it is God who gave it to us we must bow before him and submit to his authority for we will all be judged so the question is is how to serve God acceptably number one come with reverent submission the word of God gives us an indepth insight into how Jesus prayed we were not there to see it but thank God for the Bible number two by being genuinely dedicated to God 2 Chronicles 15 14-15 Amplified Bible
they swore an oath to the Lord with a loud voice with jubilant shouting with trumpets and with horns all Judah rejoiced over the oath for they had sworn with all their heart and had sought him with their whole heart and he let them
