Read: Luke 22:39-46
Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True. (Rev. 19:11)
A missionary walks away from his faith after 30 years in the field. A worship leader decides she no longer believes in God. A pastor wonders where to go with his doubts. These are just some of the sad, but true stories I’ve heard recently. All of us—even people we think of as the most faithful among us—sometimes struggle to hold on to what we believe.
Even Jesus had a night when he struggled to accept the will of his Father. Luke tells us that as he prayed on the Mount of Olives just before he was arrested, Jesus was in agony. He struggled in prayer so much that “his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground” (Luke 22:44). Knowing that crucifixion awaited him, Jesus asked the Father, “If you are willing, remove this cup from me” (v. 42). But in the end, Jesus surrendered his own desires: “Not my will, but yours, be done” (v. 42). No wonder Revelation gives Jesus the name Faithful and True.
For the rest of this week, as we look at other names for Jesus in Revelation, we’ll also be looking at the most difficult test of faith Jesus endured. Through his faithfulness on the cross, Jesus won victory for all of us. When we are tempted to waver, we can remember that Jesus also struggled—and wrestled through to the other side.
As you pray, ask God to strengthen your faith and the faith of those you love.
About the Author
Sarah Sanderson is the author of The Place We Make: Breaking the Legacy of Legalized Hate. She lives with her husband and their four teenage children in Oregon.
