“Jesus went to the Mount of Olives, as He was accustomed, His disciples followed Him. When He came to the place, He said, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.” And He was withdrawn from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and prayed, “Father, if it is Your will, TAKE THIS CUP AWAY FROM ME; nevertheless, not My will, but Yours, be done.” (Luke 22:39-42)
What was this CUP Jesus was praying about, it was the cup FILLED WITH ALL OF MAN’S SIN, only Jesus could take that cup because He was THE ONLY ONE WITHOUT SIN. Wasn’t Jesus concerned about the scourging He would receive. The Romans would, according to custom, scourge a criminal before he was put to death. The Roman scourge, also called the “flagrum” or “flagellum” was a short whip made of two or three leather (ox-hide) thongs connected to a handle. The leather thongs were knotted with a number of small pieces of metal, usually zinc and iron, attached. Scourging would QUICKLY REMOVE THE SKIN. According to history the punishment was particularly dreadful. So, was that what Jesus wanted to avoid?
“Beware of false prophets…You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles?” (Matt. 7:15-16) What is the fruit of sin? Step into the briar patch of humanity and feel a few thistles. Shame. Fear. Disgrace. Discouragement. Anxiety. Haven’t our hearts been caught in these brambles? The heart of Jesus, however, HAD NOT. HE HAD NEVER BEEN CUT BY THE THORNS OF SIN. What you and I face daily, He never knew. Anxiety? He never worried! Guilt? He was never guilty! Fear? He never left the presence of God! Jesus never knew the fruits of sin…until HE BECAME SIN FOR US. Then He wore a crown of thorns, pressed down on His head and was temporally rejected by His Father. So, was that then what He wanted to avoid?
NO, what Jesus dreaded most was, when He became sin for us, “My God, my Holy One…Before your holy eyes SIN MAY NOT BE SEEN, you cannot tolerate wrongdoing.” (Habakkuk 1:12-13) This is what Jesus was asking the Father when He said, “TAKE THIS CUP AWAY FROM ME” The Father and Son had NEVER BEEN SEPARATED IN ALL ETERNITY! “For God made Him WHO KNEW NO SIN TO BE SIN FOR US, that WE MIGHT BECOME THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD IN HIM.” (2 Corin. 5:21)
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham