After washing His disciples’ feet and celebrating the Passover with them, Jesus led them into a familiar garden and "began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed" (MATTHEW 26:37). Going a bit farther with Peter, James and John, He said, "My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me" (v. 38).
Then, walking a short distance away, Jesus "fell on His face" before God, saying, "O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will" (v. 39). He did this three times (v. 44).
How do we account for such a surge of emotional turmoil? Only by understanding the "cup" that Jesus asked His Father to take from Him. He was about to bear "the iniquity of us all" (ISAIAH 53:6). That "cup" was filled with the sins of the whole world.
The agony of Gethsemane would culminate on the cross in His heart-wrenching cry: "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?" (MATTHEW 27:46). Jesus’ physical pain was nothing compared with Calvary’s deepest pain – the awful reality of being abandoned by His Father. God made Jesus "to be sin for us" (2 CORINTHIANS 5:2), so the Father had to turn away from Him.
Praise God for His great love for us! – Herbert Vander Lugt
"Man of Sorrows", what a name
For the Son of God who came
Ruined sinners to reclaim!
Hallelujah! What a Savior! – Bliss
READ: MATTHEW 26:36-46
Christ braved the shadow of eternal death to bring us the sunshine of eternal life.