3 for 1 special * Episode 1 – “Even If” by MercyMe

What is this? Welcome to my newest venture. The ‘3 for 1 special’ is a taste of

my 3 loves: the arts, equipping and encouraging all in an effort to motivate others to keep on towards the goal. Who am I? I’m Sejana! Have we not met yet? Well- howdy doody!! You can read a little bit more about me here or stay tuned in and discern for yourself. 😉

First off, I KNOW that this song isn’t too flattering for my voice (according to my better half) but I really love this song! Here is the original author introducing the song here. It is a really great testimony, have a listen if you haven’t heard it already! I purposely chose Mercy Me as last week was the opening weekend for “I Can Only Imagine” in theatres. I hope you checked it out; I thought it was well done and am thankful their story was shared with the world!

When Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to bow down to the gods and golden image of the people surrounding them as decreed by King Nebuchadnezzar, their punishment was to be thrown into the burning fiery furnace. When questioned by the King, they boldly declared that  the one true God could save them but EVEN IF He didn’t, they would STILL refuse to serve or worship their gods or the images they had set up. So, off they went into the burning furnace! What steadfastness! Read all about that in Daniel 3:8-30.

In light of the rememberance of Good Friday in only 9 days, I thought about sharing with you what I discovered in my (mostly) daily Bible readings through YouVersion.  I’m reading the Bible Project plan with a few friends and my children this 2018. A few days ago, I read about Jesus’ “even if” moment (if you will).  In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus fervently prayed about what was about to happen (He knew the time had come for Him to be arrested, judged, and to die a brutal death by the hands of the ones he came to save). Jesus prayed as recorded in Matthew 26:39 ESV “And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” I remembered that Jesus asked if there was any other way- but right after those words Jesus acknowledged his desire to set aside what He wanted for what God the Father wanted.  What jumped out to me this time when reading this passage was that Jesus went back and prayed this same prayer again.  In verse 42, it says, “Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.” So Jesus followed up this second prayer with YOUR WILL BE DONE, again submitting to God the Father’s plan.  And then yet again, in verse 44 it is recorded, “So, leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words again.“

I don’t know about you, but I’ve found in my life many people, including myself, who get caught up and say various things but don’t end up doing what they say, including me.  (I’m working on this though!) Well, probably at the time they said it, they and I really meant to do the things that they said they would, or that they probably really intended to do those things or maybe they (I) just wanted to please the person in front of me and not make anyone upset… but not Jesus. What He said to God, even in prayer, He meant. He said whatever you want Father, I will do it. Jesus had follow-through. In fact, in 9 days, we have an opportunity to remember and celebrate the day Jesus willingly set aside what he wanted for what God the Father wanted. He went.  No one dragged him or kept him there up on the cross but He went and He gave up His life for me without a fuss or a fight. He didn’t make excuses. He just did what He had come to do. Even though it was painful. Even though it meant separation from God the Father for the first time for Him. He had follow-through. He did it for me and He did it for you.

Going back, when the disciples asked Jesus to teach them how to pray, Jesus taught them in Matthew 6:10 ESV “Your kingdom come, your will be done,[b] on earth as it is in heaven.” In the end, Jesus modeled to the disciples how to pray even if things don’t go how you’d like them to go. He knew their flesh was weak and I am personally so thankful for what He did. Jesus kept going because it was God’s will to provide a way for me, even if I didn’t care about what He did and remained in my sin, Jesus’ actions made the only way for me (and you) to be able to come back into a right relationship with Him. Jesus did what I couldn’t have done; I could not “save” myself. I needed the Lord. Thank you Lord.

Here are some great articles that might help to explain this important truth:

Jesus Saves via Desiring God

What does it mean that Jesus Saves? by Got Questions

Are there many paths to God? by Lee Strobel via CT