The Servant and No More Excuses | Mark 14:26-50
Sermon Summary
If Jesus Wrestled with Surrender, We Will Too
Have you ever found yourself making excuses? I mean, really—those “I’ll start tomorrow” kind of excuses, or the “you don’t know how hard it is” types? We all do it. And if we're honest, many of those excuses are directed at God. We excuse why we haven’t surrendered certain parts of our lives—our relationships, our finances, our obedience. But then we look at Jesus.
In Mark 14, we find Jesus in Gethsemane—His Gethsemane. It was a place not just of prayer, but of crushing. The very name means “olive press,” and just like the olive must be crushed to release what’s valuable, Jesus was crushed for our redemption. And in that moment, Jesus prayed, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for You. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what You will.”
This wasn’t weakness. It was honesty wrapped in surrender. If Jesus, perfect and divine, wrestled with the weight of surrender, how much more will we? He wasn’t sinning—He was showing us the pathway of trust. Hebrews 4:15 reminds us that He was tempted in every way as we are, yet without sin. He knew what it was to feel the pull of another path, yet He obeyed the Father.
The Barriers to Surrender Are Common Across Every Generation
We think our struggles are unique, but the barriers to surrender have always been the same. Arrogance and pride—like Peter declaring, “Even if all fall away, I won’t!” Refusal to hear truth—when Jesus said, “You will deny me,” and Peter insisted otherwise. Heaviness of heart—the disciples couldn’t stay awake because sorrow weighed them down. Greed and personal gain—Judas betrayed Jesus for silver. Fear and uncertainty—Peter’s sword-swinging wasn’t courage, it was confusion and desperation. And jealousy—religious leaders schemed out of envy.
We don’t surrender because we think we know better, or we’re afraid of the unknown. Or because our hearts are so heavy, so tired, we can’t see past our pain. Every generation has their version of these excuses. We all wrestle with the same obstacles. But the question is—will we be honest about them? Will we recognize them for what they are: barriers to blessing?
The Key to My Surrender Is My Perspective of God
When Jesus cried out in Gethsemane, He addressed God as “Abba”—Dear Father. He didn’t see the Father as a cold ruler demanding obedience. He saw Him as loving, present, and trustworthy. That view of God shaped His surrender.
And the same is true for us. Your view of God determines your level of surrender. If you see Him as a distant tyrant, you’ll resist Him. But if you know Him as a loving Father who works all things for your good, your heart will say, “Not my will, but Yours.”
That’s the shift many of us need. We need to trade the lie of God’s indifference for the truth of His kindness. To see that His commands are not to confine us, but to free us. The Father who holds the stars also holds your story. And He can be trusted.
The Blessings and Result of Full Surrender
What would have happened if Jesus hadn’t surrendered? If He hadn’t gone to the cross? We’d still be lost in sin—hopeless, condemned. But because He said, “Your will be done,” salvation came to the world.
God always blesses surrender. Not always with ease or comfort, but with peace, purpose, and fruit. When we surrender, we’re used by God to bless others. Our trials become testimonies. Our obedience becomes impact. Our tears become oil that anoints others with hope.
Sometimes, the blessing looks like peace in pain. Sometimes, it looks like influence through suffering. I think of that story of Glenn, who forgave his son’s murderer. He surrendered the right to vengeance—and received the peace of God. That’s the fruit of surrender.
Reflection
In a world that prizes control and comfort, surrender feels like weakness. But in the kingdom of God, surrender is where strength begins. Jesus held nothing back for you—so don’t hold anything back from Him.
Maybe today your Gethsemane moment is here. Maybe God has been asking for your trust, your obedience, your forgiveness, your generosity—and you’ve been offering excuses. “God, I can’t.” “God, not now.” “God, I don’t know how.”
But today is the day to say, “Nevertheless—not my will, but Yours be done.” No more excuses. Be all in.
And if you’ve never surrendered your life to Jesus for salvation, that’s the first and most urgent step. He died and rose again so you could be forgiven and restored. Romans 10 says it clearly: believe in your heart and confess with your mouth, and you will be saved.
The blessings of surrender begin with Jesus. And they grow every time you say, “Yes, Lord.” So whatever He’s asking of you—today, surrender.
