Mark 14:33-36; 15:34.
What’s the big deal? If Jesus is the Son of God surely he could do anything, so dying and coming alive is like his super power. He knew it was going to happen, he was ready for it, and he also knew he was going to be resurrected, so it was easy for him, right? Isn’t that what the bible tells us?
The bible does not tell us that. In fact, it is clear the opposite was true. It was not simply death or even the suffering before as he was tortured and the pain endured through the execution process. It was taking upon himself the judgement of God for the sake of all who will come to believe in him. He took upon himself the eternal consequences of the sin of those who trust in him to be their Saviour. Saving the believer from receiving the Judgement he or she deserves.
Jesus’ death and our repentance and trust in his death on our behalf is the single most important thing in the life of any believer. Sadly, as believers we frequently do not live as if that is true, instead we add on to the pile of sin that we have asked Jesus to take our judgement for. us. The forgiveness and justification of God does not come as a no cost handout. It cost Jesus. He experienced every bit of the cost. He did it out of love. Love for each one of his followers at the time and each one who has followed by trusting in him subsequently.
The anticipation of what was to come caused Jesus very great distress. ‘And he took with him Peter and James and John, and began to be greatly distressed and troubled.’ v33 Peter, James and John, like us so often, took Jesus’ distress too lightly and they left Jesus alone to his prayers. They did that despite Jesus asking them to stay awake with him. ‘He said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death. Remain here and watch.”’ Jesus internal agony was so great he, ‘fell on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him.’ v35 Jesus then pleaded with his Father in the most intimate of terms using the word “Abba” the most intimate word for father in Aramaic. ‘Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.’ v36 The term cup in the bible is used to refer to God’s wrath.
If we, those who believe in Jesus, were to be saved there was no other way. Jesus’ prayer in Gethsemane answers the question as to whether it was easy for Jesus, decisively. That Jesus’ death on the cross still happened after his prayer strongly indicates there was no other way to solve the problem: it is that serious. Jesus then went on to experience the spiritual agony captured in his words, ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’ Mark 15:34
How do Jesus’ words on the cross affect you?
Trust And Obey – Kaoma Chende