The Cup Of Agony
THE CUP OF AGONY
MARK 14:32-42
If Jesus knew the reality of temptation and had to resist it with all his power, how much more do we need to beware of it?
Gethsemane was an olive plantation at the foot of the Mount of Olives. Jesus came here with the intention of praying and took three of his disciples aside with him to be his close companions in this hour of anguish. His words, “My heart is ready to break with grief” (NEB), show that he was conscious of the approach of the hour of suffering and death and that he would willingly have avoided it. He therefore prayed that the hour might pass from him, ie might never come to him. He addressed his Father with the familiar, tender term “Abba,” which is the confident word of a child to a father who understands his needs. He confessed the onmipotence of the One who answers prayer, and made his request. The word “cup” (10:38; Isaiah 51:22) indicates that he saw what lay ahead not simply as suffering (would he have shrunk from that?) but as the cup of God’s wrath which he must drain on behalf of sinners. Then he freely put himself in God’s hands. Was his prayer answered? Hebrews 5:7 says that it was. How?
Jesus had instructed his companions to stay by him and remain awake. Did he want them to wrestle in prayer on his behalf or simply to have an object lesson in facing temptation? His words to them show that they were not equipped to face temptation either then or afterwards. It is not enough to have a strong desire to overcome it; the flesh and its conflicting impulses must be brought under control. It is surely significant that the personal rebuke, “Simon …” (14:37) is recorded in “Peter’s Gospel.”
The scene was repeated twice, as if to show the continuing strength of the temptation which Jesus faced. Then came the end. The disciples had slept and rested long enough (the meaning of 14:41a is very obscure). Now the betrayer had come, and in the strength won by prayer Jesus went forth confidently to meet him: “Up, let us go forward!” (NEB).