Agony

Luke 22:39-44

I do not like that period right before a big event. That time that is filled with anticipation and wonder. Even if it is something bad, I prefer to be right in the middle of a problem, rather than waiting to see if the hammer is going to drop. That is probably because I do not fill my time in prayer like Jesus did. I must confess, I would have probably been like the disciples and been found asleep, or I would have been pacing.

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And he came out, and went, as he was wont, to the mount of Olives; and his disciples also followed him. 40 And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation.41 And he was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, 42 Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.

43 And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him. 44 And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.

Luke 22:39-44

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I most certainly would not have wanted to be Jesus at this time. I cannot imagine the enormous pressure that was on Him. The hope of humanity was on His shoulders. The Saints of the Old Testament were trusting in His promise that He would be the sacrifice for their sins. If He failed, their faith, trust, and obedience would have all been for naught. This was what He, the Father, and the Holy Spirit had planned since before the foundations of the world (Revelation 13:8).

Not only did He have the enormity of what was at stake, but He also knew the price He was about to pay. It is a foreign concept to us, but Jews at that time knew exactly what crucifixion meant. As God, He had given the prophets the messages that foretold His death. He made the promise in the garden of Eden that He would be the "seed of the woman" (Genesis 3:15). He inspired Abraham to tell Isaac that "God himself would provide a lamb" (Genesis 22:8). He told Isaiah to proclaim, "But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed" (Isaiah 55:3). He knew exactly what was on the agenda, and as a man He certainly would not have been looking forward to what was to come.

While love motivated Him to go to the cross, I cannot help but think that part of His agony was also thinking about those who would not accept His sacrifice. He knew what Judas was up to. He knew that many of the Sadducees, Pharisees, and Scribes would never accept Him. He was going to be mocked and ridiculed; even by the thieves on the cross (Isaiah 53:12; Matthew 27:38, 44).

With all that lay before Him, Jesus spent the night in prayer. Yes, He agonized over what was coming, but he took it to His Father. We often agonize and do not take it to the Father. Jesus set the example for us. Life is real. Life can be hard. We should cast our cares on Him, because He cares about us

(I Peter 5:7).

Father, thank you for your faithfulness to the plan of our salvation. It cost you so much, and yet you stayed the course and were obedient to the Father. You set the example of how we should deal with our anxiety and stress. Help us to follow you as far as you desire for us to go, through whatever trials you have for us to face.