The Garden of Gethsemane

 The Garden of Gethsemane by Dr. D. James Kennedy

"… Unlike those high priests, He does not need to offer daily sacrifices—first for His own sins and then for the people’s, for He did this once for all when He offered up Himself." Luke 22:42

When Jesus was praying in the Garden of Gethsemane on the night of His betrayal, He recoiled from the horror of the cup that He was about to drink from—the cup of God’s wrath. This is why He prayed that the cup be passed from Him, if possible. It was not possible, so He submitted to drink it.

Earlier that night, Jesus had said, “For the ruler of this world [Satan] is coming. He has no power over Me” (John 14:30). Satan has only a claim upon those who are guilty of sin and are under the curse. But Christ was the Sinless One, so Satan had nothing in Him and could not hurt Him at all.

Nevertheless, when Jesus hung upon the Cross, He became the very quintessence of sin. He was the most delectable morsel for that lion that goes about roaring, seeking whom he may devour. Therefore, the very demons of hell, with cackling sound, leaped upon Him and tore at His soul as He endured demonic rage.

Jesus saw all of that in the cup, and His soul recoiled against it. This was one of the last temptations of Christ, and our Savior met it magnificently.

He said, “Nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done” (Luke 22:42).

May we, at the moment of our greatest trials, surrender our wills to the Father, as Jesus did.