WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 1: I have a challenge for you in the form of a question. Are you ready to go a little further? In other words, are you willing to push pass your feelings in order to grasp the cup? This will be your most challenging Cup Match.
The cup I am speaking of is a destiny cup. It is your destiny-filled cup. It can be an elusive cup, one that you actually prefer to bypass. However, the fact remains that the unfolding of your destiny is dependent upon whether or not you will take a hold of this cup and ‘drink’ of its contents.
The greatest Cup Match occurred centuries ago. Pierce into and upon the landscape of The Garden of Gethsemane and watch it unfold.
The game is destiny.
The teams are flesh versus spirit.
The trophy is eternity.
The outcome of that moment was in the hands and heart of Jesus. The outcome was hanging in the balance.
Matthew 26:39 And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.
Will Jesus’ flesh win or will the spirit of Jesus win? It would be His choice. Yes, Jesus had been sent to earth to redeem mankind back to His Father, but it would still come down to His individual choice. Jesus was no robot. Even He would have to choose to do the right thing.
Luke 3:35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
This scripture serves as a reminder to you that Jesus was fully human and fully divine. Hence, Jesus, during His hour of anguish would have to choose to follow after His human nature or His Spirit nature.
Would Jesus succumb to His human nature and refuse the bitter cup of destiny? Or would Jesus kill His own flesh and choose by His Spirit to partake of the bitter cup?
Drama
On that first Cup Match, the atmosphere was quite dramatic. The scene was horrific. In the darkness of the night, the Cross of Calvary beckoned in the distance.
That was the goal. Yet, the present was nothing but bitter pain.
It is difficult to grasp the cup and head towards Calvary when your mind, will, and emotions are being torn asunder.
Yet at that time, Jesus made a massive choice. Jesus decided to look beyond what could have been an easy escape for Him, and an eternal loss for us. Jesus even looked beyond the Cross of Calvary and He saw you and He saw me.
It was at that time that Jesus went further. Jesus went beyond the dictates of His flesh or feelings and made a choice based on His spirit.
The Cup Match was over. There was a decision. There was a win. The spirit defeated the flesh. That victory propelled Jesus onwards to where He was able to handle the bitter experience on the way to Calvary.
Decision time
Sometimes, in your life, you will have to decide not to respond with your own emotions, but rather by the spirit of God within you, as your destiny and purpose are hinged upon the choice you will make.
You must choose to let your spirit dictate your next move. It may be a bitter cup today, but your decision promises to bring about a sweet victory.
Deny your flesh. Ask God to give you the strength and courage to do what you must. Only then can you actually successfully handle the bitter cup and then experience your personal Calvary and your ultimate victory.
Do not let the cup pass by. Do not forfeit the ‘game’. You are designed to win! It is your Cup Match. Go a little further because your victory is ahead. Blessings abound.