Submission is a damnable word in our modern, American world. The weaker dog rolling over in the presence of the dominant one. Out-dated views of women's roles come to mind. To submit has come to mean giving in, losing, weakness, denigration, and inequality.
(This is not a thesis on marriage. Just a disclaimer. Apply where needed.)
Of the many prayers sprinkled throughout the Bible, one that hits me powerfully is, "Not my will, but yours be done."
It's uttered by Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane on the night of his betrayal. On the morrow he will face the cross. He knows exactly what the Father is asking of him, is familiar with the words of Isaiah: "Yet it was the Lord's will to crush him and cause him to suffer." He knows that the cup he must drink is that of God's wrath. He will face the judgment in our place.
Jesus' sojourn on earth is one of entire submission. In Philippians, it says that he emptied himself, hollowing out his glory, power and beauty, and subjecting himself to the limits of humanity. While walking on earth, he did only the Father's will, unified in purpose and understanding. He allowed his Father to direct him; trusting him, loving him, believing that the will of the Father was the best possible way. The way of the Father has lead him to this terrible night.
When Jesus says, "Not my will, but yours be done," in dark Gethsemane, perhaps he is recalling another ancient garden, where the phrase was, "Not your will, but mine be done," and the fruit was plucked from the tree.
Refusal to submit to God's authority is at the root of our brokenness. "You will be like God... " It is still our biggest problem. I see it in myself all the time. I don't believe that God will do what is best. I don't believe he can. I trust my own judgments over the ones written in his Word. I hold up my feelings, thoughts, circumstances, and desires as the absolute and determine for myself what is good and evil.
Imbedded in this insubordination is a lie. It's a lie about God's nature. The serpent said to Eve, "God knows that if you eat this fruit you will be like him," and he didn't tell you because he wants to dominate you. He's power hungry. He likes to hold back blessing from your life. He doesn't want you to be happy. He really is powerless, and doesn't want you to know. He is not good. He does not love you. He's really out to make you miserable, setting up rules to watch you break them.
The lie was spoken, the trust of God wavered and caved, and centuries later, the second Adam stands in the garden, submitting to death so that we can be set free from the evil we brought on ourselves.
"Not my will, but yours be done." Jesus is trusting his Father. In the face of a terrible torture and death, knowing that all the weight of a broken world will fall on him in a short while, he is trusting that his Father will make it good. And through that submission, Jesus saves the world from sin.
I want his prayer to be my prayer. I want to submit to his authority in my life. I may not fully understand why he puts the boundaries up. He might lead me through some strange or sad places, but I believe that he does it for my good, and he will bring good from it.
I know he is good.
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." Proverbs 3:5-6
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