Take this Cup

Wednesday, September 25, 2019

“Take this Cup”

                Jesus prays: “Take this cup from me; yet not my will but yours be done.” Luke 22:42

                When we look at this prayer offered by Jesus in the

Garden of Gesthsemane prior to his arrest we might wonder, what was Jesus asking God to do?  He says, “Take this cup from me”. Did Jesus really ask God to let him walk away from his life’s purpose—to die on the cross? How could Jesus choose something for himself and against God’s will with these words? How could Jesus not want what God wanted him to do if even for a moment?

                Maybe just maybe the human side of Christ was fearful of what was to come. Jesus knew what being arrested meant and as one with many followers he would be made an example. For months he knew that the Pharisees wanted him dead. He was a threat to their way of life. And it was not until the crowd was stirred up by the Pharisees when turned against him and cried “crucify” that he really knew what was to happen.

                Jesus asks, ”take this cup” which is complex. Included in this cup is God allowing Jesus to be hurt with the punishment and judgment that evil warrant. No one else could or would be asked to endure this- the sin of the world was on his shoulders. No doubt there were questions and temptation playing a role here as well. After all, Jesus had been tempted very early in his ministry. But God had reassured him when  he spoke from the heavens “you are my Son”.   So here Jesus is being attempted again for he was uncertain of what was to come. And his heart is heavy. How would the plan play out? Will his arrest, trial crucifixion, death be quick or filled with agony and pain? How will his disciples respond? What about Mary his mother? Jesus carried all of this in his heart as he prayed to God.

                Jesus is sorrowful and troubled, deeply distressed and is overwhelmed with sorrow. He is truly being honest with God the Father in this prayer—Take this cup from me.  The part of Jesus that is human has reached its limits and boldly Jesus asks for help. Jesus asks for help not to be rescued from having to go through it but to endure and to be delivered through it.

                Jesus asked God this prayer—with honesty, trust and in the knowledge that God would help him. How often are we praying with full and honest hearts? Do we trust God to help us through our situations? By understanding Jesus’ two-sided prayer, we understand the depth of pain that he was in before he was arrested. May we learn to be honest in our prayers as well.

PRAYER God help us to fully understand what Jesus asked in this prayer with two sides. Help us to pray with the honesty Jesus had as he sought your help in these dark moments before his arrest. Show us how we are to be honest with you in our prayers and to have hope in you always.

REFLECTION inspired by Elisa Morgan, “The Prayer coin: Reflections on Prayer” Our Daily Bread Ministries 2019