A Committed Heart Goes a “Little Beyond”

Commitment: an agreement or pledge to do something in the future. This is Webster’s definition of the word. We have no problem in committing ourselves to something because of the last part of that definition – “something in the future”. As long as it is in the future, we can commit away! “Oh yes”, we say, “sign me up for that committee.” Or “I can absolutely help you with that – no problem!” The problem comes in keeping the commitment. Wouldn’t you say that is the most important part of the whole deal?

The ultimate example of following through on a commitment is our Lord Jesus. Jesus knew His exact purpose on this earth as He lived out His life as one of us. He knew the mocking, the beating, the crucifixion, and death were coming. Yet He chose to submit to His Father’s will in full commitment so that we could be reunited with Jehovah-Mekoddishkem, the God who sanctifies us (Ex. 31:13).

We see the intersection of Christ’s humanity and God’s sovereignty in the Garden of Gethsemane. Matthew 26:37 tells us that Jesus was grieved and distressed. Jesus Himself said He was “deeply grieved to the point of death”. Can’t you just feel a sense of heaviness wash over our precious Lord? He knew what was coming in just hours. Yes, He asked three times for that bitter cup to pass from Him; however, He ultimately submitted to His Father’s will and committed Himself to the task at hand. He pledged to die for all mankind because there was no other way for us to obtain salvation. Did He have a choice? Absolutely! Matthew 26:53 tells us that He could’ve called upon 12 legions of angels that are at His disposal! But He chose to follow through on His commitment to the likes of us. Can anybody say “Praise God”?

What really gets a hold of my heart with this passage is in Matthew 26:39. This verse tells us that Jesus “went a little beyond them”. I know this is referring to Jesus going a little beyond the disciples He had brought with Him to the garden to watch and pray (even though they slept and rested). But it makes me think about how far Jesus went – physically, emotionally, and spiritually – to pay for my redemption. He went a little beyond them to get alone with His Abba Father, face down before Him. What an example for us – sometimes the only way we can get in line with God’s will is to get alone and fall face down before Him.

So how much “beyond” are we willing to go in our commitment to Christ? He knew the future pledge He made to save the world and followed the commitment through to the end! Why don’t you step out beyond the crowd of mediocre Christians and go a little beyond? What could you accomplish this year in the Kindgom by going “a little beyond” with God?