Nevertheless, an adverb which indicates the opportunity to change, yet maintaining the same direction or course of action.
This one word serves as a major turning point throughout the Word of God. This one word has stood center stage throughout the course of human history. Allow me to explain.
Recently I had the honor of hearing my pastor deliver a eulogy for a person who exhibited tremendous courage in the face of cancer. As we learned more about her, it became very evident that she used her illness as an opportunity to minister to others. When others called or visited her to share words of encouragement and prayer, she in turn, took that same moment to encourage them.
It was clear that she faced and conquered what I call a nevertheless moment.
In Mark 14:36, we find Jesus at one of the most crushing moments in His life. Temptation was pulling on Him, causing His flesh to war against His spirit. The agony that Jesus went through at that moment in the Garden of Gethsemane caused Him to cry out to His Father for help.
"And He said, 'Abba Father, all things are possible for You. Take this cup away from Me..." - Mark 14:36v.
Have you ever wondered what would have happened if God (the Father) would have answered that prayer? What if Jesus yielded to His own desire that night? Satan would have certainly won. The virgin birth, the baptism, the miracles, the teachings, everything would have been for nothing!
But praise be unto God for this one small word: nevertheless.
"...Nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will." - Mark 14:36v.
Precisely at this moment in time, Jesus stood at the crossroads of eternity and held humanity in His hands. Jesus through prayer completely yielded His will, His desires, His flesh, and His plans to the Will of His Father.
If Jesus turned His back at that moment, we would not be reading this devotional. We would not have a moral compass to guide our thoughts, nor an ethical path to lead us to correct decisions.
Today we all face at times nevertheless moments. The decisions we make and the prayers we pray can change the very trajectory of our lives or that of another person.
Let's be sure that our prayers do not enable us to take the easy way out. Let's look and take the example of our Savior. Today, let us walk in His footsteps.
Along with his wife of 19 years, Jennifer, Elder Tony Wilson is the founders and facilitators of Marriage Retreat 365, an organization that encourages and models for couples various methods of maintaining intimacy while addressing the everyday responsibilities of being a family. A father of four, Elder Wilson is currently on staff at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, located in Lithonia, Georgia.
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