AGONIZING IN THE GARDEN
"'Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.' An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground." (Luke 22:42-44)
The cup is that of dying for the sins of the world. Not only will Jesus have to face beatings, torture, excruciating pain and the slow death of crucifixion, but He would take on the sins of the world... yours, mines, everyone who will believe! Scripture says, He who knew NO sin BECAME sin! At this moment the holy becomes blemished and the Holy Trinity is broken. Since eternity past and through eternity future, the Trinity has never been separated. But now because of our sins, Christ was forsaken. Thats why He cried on the cross, "My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?" So Jesus, as He prays in anticipation of all of this, sweats drops of blood. But what does He say, "Yet not my will, but Yours be done." And because of His obedience God raised Him up (Philippians 2:5-11).
As we face trials in this life, may we remember what Jesus went through for us so we could be freed from the wrath of sin, giving us eternal life. May we endure as He endured. And may we have the same outlook as Jesus, "who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." (Hebrews 12:2-3)
"'Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.' An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground." (Luke 22:42-44)
The cup is that of dying for the sins of the world. Not only will Jesus have to face beatings, torture, excruciating pain and the slow death of crucifixion, but He would take on the sins of the world... yours, mines, everyone who will believe! Scripture says, He who knew NO sin BECAME sin! At this moment the holy becomes blemished and the Holy Trinity is broken. Since eternity past and through eternity future, the Trinity has never been separated. But now because of our sins, Christ was forsaken. Thats why He cried on the cross, "My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?" So Jesus, as He prays in anticipation of all of this, sweats drops of blood. But what does He say, "Yet not my will, but Yours be done." And because of His obedience God raised Him up (Philippians 2:5-11).
As we face trials in this life, may we remember what Jesus went through for us so we could be freed from the wrath of sin, giving us eternal life. May we endure as He endured. And may we have the same outlook as Jesus, "who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." (Hebrews 12:2-3)
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