“May this cup pass from me,” the Master whispers to heaven.
Was He afraid? Did He want to quit?
We may ask many questions about our Savior’s intentions, but what is clear is that He would not be discouraged by the day's circumstances — so long as He fulfilled the Father’s will. Jesus was well aware of the expectations for the 24 hours to come.
He did not go “numb.” He did not disassociate from this critical hour. Jesus fully knew what was required of Him and ended the prayer, “Not my will, but Yours be done.”
Jesus is the most courageous man who ever lived. The knowledge of calamity is what presents the opportunity for courage. To run like a coward because you know the truth requires the same amount of courage as walking into a situation you are clueless about.
What was “the cup” Jesus was requesting God’s willingness to miss?
The Gospel writers speak of the physical pain quite matter-of-factly. They do not get bogged down in the details of the crucifixion. Instead, they focus on the spiritual and emotional anguish and relational entanglements.
Jesus was betrayed by Judas and denied by Peter. Jesus looked at Peter in the very moment of His failure. Fellow Jews hit Jesus and plucked His beard. The High Priest tore His clothes and shouted accusations at Jesus. Pilate interrogated Jesus. Herod ridiculed Him and mocked His claims of being a king. Jesus saw His mother, John, the other women who followed, Simon of Cyrene, and the thief on the Cross.
A friend arrested Jesus. Peter cut off the ear of one of Jesus' captors. Jesus healed the man immediately. With all rights to defend Himself, Jesus stood quietly before the Sanhedrin and then the Roman governors. Like a lamb led before slaughter, He opened not His mouth.
The trial was bogus on several accounts. It was held at night. Those judging Jesus met outside the usual meeting place. The hearing and conviction happened in the same meeting. The custom was to have a follow-up meeting to make decisions. Jesus' testimony was accepted as evidence without the requirement of having at least two witnesses.
Every part of the trial was done incorrectly, including the sentencing. Jesus was accused of blasphemy and sedition. Jesus was the son of God, so there was no blasphemy, and He never tested the rule of Caesar, not even the paying of taxes to him. He was falsely accused, falsely tried and declared innocent, but punished as a thief. Then, the crowd chose a murderous anarchist over our innocent Lord to set free.
Jesus was flogged, beaten, spat upon and had thorns pressed in His head. He carried a 50-pound crossbeam uphill, suffocated and suffered a spear in His side. Crucifixion is a horrific death, featuring multiple layers of agony that multiply the pain and humiliation. Yet, the Gospel writers clarified that the real anguish was in Jesus’ separation from the Father.
Jesus knew what was coming. He could have run. He could have just said what His accusers wanted Him to say. He could have taken a deal from Satan. Instead, Jesus submitted Himself to the cup of our salvation, and He drank the wrath of God to the dregs.
Oh, what a Savior! What a man… the one who despised the cup, nevertheless drank from it for me.
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