Take this cup from me
Mark 14:32-42; BCBC/IOUC; 7/29/2021; Rev. Paul Wang
Introduction
I remember that when I first believed in the Lord, I always felt that Jesus is Christ and God, so He may not feel much about His suffering and death! Such obstacles even affected my faith! It wasn’t until I read this passage that I realized it. The greatest pain of a person is not skin and flesh, but the parting and loneliness deep in the heart. Let’s look at the first point:
A frightening and sad experience
If Christ’s victory on the cross is the highest point of Christ’s life, then the Garden of Gethsemane is the bottom of his life. First of all, wait for me while I pray! The divine and human nature of Jesus Christ makes us feel a sense of kinship, because He has experienced the pain we have experienced. It turned out that Jesus also yearned for the company of his companions. He went to pray and told his disciples to wait. Do you know why? He is experiencing our loneliness, understanding our loneliness, and resolving our loneliness. When you encounter loneliness, you should pray and draw the power of heavenly fellowship from God. Accompanied by spiritual companions in the church is like a tiger with wings, grace with grace, strength with strength! Wish we would often hear brothers and sisters say on spiritual matters: “Wait for me while I pray!”
Secondly, go together, and feel sad! In life, where do so many satisfying things come from? When Christ came to the world, there were also frightening and sad things. Do you know what it is? Was He afraid of the pain on the cross? I believe that He was afraid. How can a person not be afraid of being flesh and blood? Those pastors, preachers, and Christians who were arrested and sentenced to torture are also experiencing panic, right? Once being crucified on the cross is to endure, and the real panic is before being crucified on the cross. Agree? The fear is knowing the pain but not knowing how painful it will hurt! But what really saddened Jesus was the abandonment that He was about to experience on the cross. In order to complete the plan of salvation, Heavenly Father must hide his face from Him! He shouted on the cross: My God, my God, why have you forsaken me! For this reason, everything in the world is sad. From twelve noon to five in the afternoon, it was dark!
Finally, waiting with sadness! At this moment, Jesus asked his disciples to wait for him for the second time. It can be seen that sadness has escalated. Jesus said: “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death.” Every time I feel sad, as long as I think of the Lord’s sorrows, I feel comforted. Because of our loving Lord, He understands my pain. At this time, Jesus’ requirements of his spiritual companions also increased. In addition to waiting, watchfulness is added on. Prayer is a must. Therefore, don’t forget to have spiritual companions! You would know the importance at the critical moment, right? Let’s look at the second point:
The experience of loneliness and helplessness
It’s okay to be lonely, isn’t there a spiritual companion? If loneliness meets helplessness, that is the real test. First of all, there is only the Father’s cup. Ask yourself, are you willing? Your money, your time, your life and death, your decision-making power, etc. are all owned by Heavenly Father, is it okay? Do you want to? In fact, it is right for us to offer our bodies as a living sacrifice! Just are you willing? Christ faced such a choice, a choice of life and death. Of course He already knew Heavenly Father’s plan, and He himself was the executor of the plan. However, when life and death are right in front of you, you will also experience the loneliness and helplessness of emptying yourself and only the Father, right? Unless, you regard Heavenly Father as your only dependence and satisfaction! Jesus said: “Abba, Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.”
Secondly, only oneself is left. It turned out that there were still disciples following and felt lonely. Jesus also asked twice to wait for him, accompany him, and watch and pray for him. But now, when Jesus came back and saw that they were asleep, he said to Peter, Simon, are you sleeping? Can’t you watch for a while? Can you think of Jesus’ plight? Can you feel the lonely and helpless situation of Jesus? Of course, in the end, Jesus said to his disciples: “You are willing in your heart, but your body is weak.” The Lord has set an example for us, that is, when you are most lonely and helpless, don’t rely on people. Because no one can take your burden, except the Lord Himself! In fact, when we feel that only ourselves are left, it is when we are with God, and we are alone, with Him alone! Helpless, is just without the help from man, but with the help from God!
Finally, embark on a lonely road. Faced with death and loneliness, Jesus seemed to sound the charge horn: “Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!” The prayer meeting was over, and the loneliness seemed to disappear. How lively the soldiers who came to arrest Jesus, how bright they were holding torches! The high priest’s courtyard was filled with people, how unforgettable the conversation between the little maid and Peter was! At this time, Jesus was experiencing loneliness in the bustle! We may also have experienced that in the vast crowd, there is no one who can understand ourselves! The Lord has experienced all your feelings! He knew that all of this came from God, so he chose to remain silent! What about you? What is your choice? Go crazy? Angry? cry？ or still worried? Let’s look at the third point:
Victory in three prayers
It seems that what Paul said is right, Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. First, if feasible. Like us, Jesus has a life that doesn’t want to die, or even fears death, agree? He is also a complete person, and he also experiences fear of death. He went to pray, asking Heavenly Father to remove the cup of suffering. The Bible says: “Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him.” I went to the place where he prayed. It was in the olive garden, which is called the Garden of Gethsemane. The place I go a little further is the distance of throwing a stone, I can see it, but I can’t hear it clearly.
Secondly, still pray. When Jesus returned from prayer, he found that all his disciples were asleep. What Should He do? Still have to pray! Maybe we went to pray and came back to find that the pastor was asleep. what? Then we don’t pray anymore! Will it? Jesus said to Peter, who was closest to him, do you even sleep? Don’t you know what I need at the moment? Can you watch me for a while? Did you know that when people become weak, there is nothing you can do! When you want to sleep, the sleeping bug climbs up to “bite”, and sleepiness is over the eyes. Who can stop it? Jesus knew that he was relying on the Father, so he hurriedly went to pray again! What to pray for? The mind is blank, it doesn’t matter, just copy the original prayer items as they are, and pray again, no problem! Why does it have to be so perfect? As long as you pray, there is hope!
Finally, the time has come. the third prayer, the Holy Spirit began to urge! You guys have enough sleep! Get up! It’s discipleship time, are you still asleep? The time on Saturday morning is precious, can you consecrate it to God? There is nothing new under the sun, and the past, present, and future experiences are not new. The Lord finally spoke: “The hour has come. Look, the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners.” Are you still sleeping? The Lord is coming back soon, are you still lying flat in bed? The wedding banquet has begun. Are the lamp oil and dress ready? Look, the Lord and the angels are back with the clouds! As the angel said back then: How he leaves, he also returns!
Conclusion
Dear brothers and sisters, Jesus experienced horror, sadness, loneliness and helplessness, and even prayed to the Father to withdraw the cup! However, his three prayers in weakness overcame his inner loneliness and became an example and strength in our lives!
Let us pray ……
