Not my will, but thine...

This Sunday I was sitting in sharing time listening to a member of the Primary Presidency talk about the Atonement. She was showing the children the picture of Jesus kneeling in the Garden of Gethsemane, you know the picture I'm talking about, we have seen it a million times.
We have heard this story a million times.
You know how when you hear something that you have heard over and over and over and then one day...
it just sinks in?
Well that happened to me.
When Jesus got to the Mount of Olives he left his disciples about a stones throw away. He fell to his face. He did not stumble because of a rock or bump, He stumbled because of the weight of our sins. Heavenly Father sent an Angel...
..."And there appeared an angel unto Him from heaven, strengthening Him."
Jesus prayed to His Father..."Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not My will but Thine, be done."
Now that is the part of this story that I have glazed over all of these years.
He prayed those words to His Father not only once, but THREE times.
I always think of the Atonement in how it affects me. And all Mankind. And I have always thought about the physical pain that He had to endure. But I can't say that I have thought a lot about the emotional pain that He was going through for HIM. He didn't want to have to suffer and die. He didn't want to leave the people He loved. His Mother, Joseph, His Apostles. He had a broken heart. Not just for us, but for Him too! It makes the atonement so much more real to me. It makes HIM so much more real to me. The fact that He understands my pain so perfectly. He has to; He suffered so much more than I will EVER suffer.
I want you all to know that Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer. He suffered, died, and left His own family and friends because He made a commitment. He is a man of perfect character. He LOVES each and every one of us. He understands our pain, our sorrow and our loss.
I love you all.
Read the accounts of His last week in the New Testament. Prepare yourself for Easter morning. Not with eggs and bunnies, but with a broken heart and a contrite spirit.

Make this week Special!