Luke 22:42
“Pray that you will not fall into temptation, Jesus said to his disciples. Then, he left them and went to a private place. There he prayed Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will but yours be done” (Luke 23:40-43). He was in great anguish as He prayed, and He prayed so earnestly His sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.
The cup of which He spoke was not an ordinary one. It was a cup filled with the things He knew He would go through in crucifixion. It was a cupful of sin. He took upon himself the sins of the world. He suffered and died for the worst of us, and the best of us. It was for your and my sins.
It was a cupful of wrath.Sin pays off in death (Romans 3:23). On the cross, Jesus suffered and died, paying for the sins of us all. “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us … “(Galatians 3:13).
It was a cupful of suffering. Jesus was fully human, and He went through terrible physical and spiritual suffering. The Psalmist foretold of His suffering saying, “I am poured out like water, all my bones are out of joint, my heart is like wax, it is melted within me” (Psalm 22:14). Nails and thorns tore through His body, but betrayal, desertion, and mockery pierced His heart.
It was a cupful of mercy. The one thought that sustained Him was He knew that through His suffering and death millions would have their sins forgiven, and enter into a loving relationship with God. He died for us that we might live for Him. Bless His Holy name.
Dr. Robert Wilkerson is a minister, writer, and founder of People for the Christian Way, an organization whose mission is to encourage all people to practice Christian principles in business, politics, and every area of life. drbobwilkerson@bellsouth.net, www.peopleforthechristianway.com
