Matthew 26: Appointment with Destiny

In the beginning of the movie “The Princess Bride,” we meet Buttercup and Farm Boy. Whenever Buttercup asks Farm Boy to do something for her, he always replies, “As you wish.” That is all he ever says to her. Time passes, and one day Buttercup comes to realize that every time Farm Boy has said, “As you wish,” he was really saying, “I love you.” (This would make a whole lot more sense to you if you have actually seen the movie!).

There is perhaps no greater expression of love than a freely submitted will – "as you wish." Biblically, we could make the case that “as you wish” is a kind of prayer. In fact, it may be one of the greatest, most important prayers that Jesus ever prayed.

We see Jesus pray this prayer three times in this chapter (39, 42, 44). We see this pattern in Jesus life throughout the Gospels, both in times of serenity as well as times of great personal distress. His posture towards his Father never changes. He is completely convinced of his Father’s relentless love for him and completely trusts his Father’s will for his life. At the very heart of Jesus’ intimate communion with his Father was this constant whispered prayer, “As you wish.” Not what I want Father – but what you want.

In one of his many books, author C. S. Lewis wrote that the day is coming when every soul will adapt one of two postures before God: either joyful surrender or defiant separation. One day, every one of us will say either “Your will be done” or “My will be done.” And the truth is – at least to some small degree – our hearts are always assuming one of these postures.

How can I assume an “as you wish” posture towards my heavenly Father today? On this ordinary Thursday in August, how can I express my love to my heavenly Father by freely and willingly submitting my will to his? These are questions worth pondering.

Ken Jackson