39 “And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” 40 And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter, “So, could you not watch with me one hour? 41 Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Matthew 26:39–41 (ESV)
35 “And going a little farther, he fell on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. 36 And he said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” 37 And he came and found them sleeping, and he said to Peter, “Simon, are you asleep? Could you not watch one hour? 38 Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Mark 14:35–38 (ESV)
39 “And he came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him. 40 And when he came to the place, he said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.” 41 And he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, 42 saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” 43 And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. 44 And being in agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground. 45 And when he rose from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping for sorrow, 46 and he said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Rise and pray that you may not enter into temptation.” (Luke 22:39–46 (ESV)
All three of the Synoptic Gospels reveal specific details concerning Jesus’ prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane. Most, if not all, believers in Christ are aware of our Lord’s prayer on His own behalf before God the Father. Matthew records the prayer as follows. “And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.”
Lying prostrate, Jesus personally and continually prayed God the Father would not place upon Him, God the Son, His righteous wrath toward sin (Romans 1:18-20), symbolized by the word “cup”. Mark records Jesus praying the hour might pass. Mark also states Jesus addressed God the Father as Abba, referring to a childlike intimacy. Luke adds the detail of an angel from heaven strengthening Jesus (Luke 22:43).
“A cup is often the symbol of divine wrath against sin in the OT (Isa. 51:17, 22; Jer. 25:15–17, 27–29; Lam. 4:21–22; Ezek. 23:31–34; Hab. 2:16). The next day Christ would “bear the sins of many” (Heb. 9:28)—and the fullness of divine wrath would fall on him (Isa. 53:10–11; 2 Cor. 5:21). This was the price of the sin he bore, and he paid it in full. His cry of anguish in Matt. 27:46 reflects the extreme bitterness of the cup of wrath he was given,” explains Dr. John MacArthur.
The intense prayer by the Lord is in stark contrast to the sleeping disciples. More to come.
Soli deo Gloria!
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