May 28 – Reading Luke 22:39-46

 

Read and believe in Jesus.

“Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will but yours be done.”  Luke 22:42.

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The Gospel according to Luke 

Review – Jesus and His disciples celebrate Passover together for the last time.  Jesus begins instructing them on what the bread He breaks, and the wine He pours, mean – His body broken, and His blood poured out for them. The New Covenant – atonement for their sins and their salvation.  “Do this in remembrance of Me.”

Jesus tells Judas to leave, and Peter that he will deny Him three times that night.

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Vss. 22:39-42.

After the Passover meal, Jesus and the eleven went out of the city, crossed the Kidron Brook, and, as was His custom, went to the Mount of Olives.

When they came to “the place” (the garden of Gethsemane, or olive press), Jesus told them to “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.”

He then went off a little way alone and knelt down to pray.

HIS prayer was quite different.

“Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me.

Nevertheless, not my will but yours be done.”

His “cup” (or baptism as He called it yesterday) was full to the top with physical suffering, spiritual anguish, humiliation, bearing our sin, and experiencing the wrath and forsaking of God, His Father.

Jesus knew what was coming. His perfect, sinless self was about to be desecrated and abandoned … in our place.

Jesus prayed this request and submission three times, between returning to urge His three inner-circle disciples to “watch” with Him. (See Matthew 26 and Mark 14.)

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Vss. 22:42-46.

Only “doctor” Luke records the following.

And there appeared to Him an angel from heaven, strengthening Him. And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly; and His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.”

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(This is a dangerous condition known as hematidrosis, the infusion of a person’s blood and sweat. Deep capillaries dilate and burst, mingling the two. It can be caused by extreme anguish or physical strain. Jesus Himself said that His distress brought Him to the threshold of death. (Matthew 26:38, Mark 14:34) (Also Hebrews 12:3-4)

Even before the cross, Jesus shed His blood for us sinners.

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Finally, Jesus rose and went to his sleeping disciples.  Sure, it was late. Sure, they had just eaten a big meal that included 5 glasses of wine.  BUT THEIR LORD had not slept.

“Why are you sleeping? Rise and pray that you may not enter into temptation!”

Their lack of prayer, as Jesus had urged them, probably accounted for their behavior later when the mob came for Jesus.

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(Ah, Lord Jesus, we are so weak and fleshly. We are the sinners YOU came to experience such anguish and pain for. We deserve no such kindness and sacrifice!  Thank YOU for your mercy and grace!)