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Jesus, Why The Agony
by Jack Earl Mar 14:32-42 ESV [32] And they went to a place called Gethsemane. And he said to his disciples, "Sit here while I pray." [33] And he took with him Peter and James and John, and began to be greatly distressed and troubled. [34] And he said to them, "My soul is very sorrowful, even to death. Remain here and watch." [35] And going a little farther, he fell on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. [36] And he said, "Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will." [37] And he came and found them sleeping, and he said to Peter, "Simon, are you asleep? Could you not watch one hour? [38] Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." [39] And again he went away and prayed, saying the same words. [40] And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were very heavy, and they did not know what to answer him. [41] And he came the third time and said to them, "Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? It is enough; the hour has come. The Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. [42] Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand." My comments: Why the agony? Something horrible must have been facing Jesus. Normally, Jesus was very confident, purposeful and determined. Only days before His face was set toward Jerusalem.(Luk 9:53 ESV) A picture of a man with a purpose and determination. But now Jesus was praying for an alternative. "Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will."(vs. 36) Yet there was none. There was no Universalism. No way that mankind could be redeemed from Hell other than the shed blood of The Lamb of God. What was it that caused Jesus to be greatly distressed and troubled? It must have been extreemly excruciating. Fortunately, for those of us who are trusting in the sacrificial death of Jesus, we will never know. But for those who are trusting in their baptism, or church attendance, or good works, they will experience it first hand. But by then it will be too late. I pity all the good people who will be suffering the same agony that Jesus did for me. Jack Earl is a retired Christian Bookstore manager, a graduate of Moody Bible Institute. He now lives in the Seirra Nevada Mountains in central California. He may be reached at [email protected] Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com |