Mark 14:36

New King James Version

And He said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for You. Take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will.”

For Encouragement

Why is the Savior on His face in the Garden of Gethsemane anguished and in deep travail? Why is Heaven’s Glory so sorrowful and broken?

My sin and yours constrain Him to go to the cross to serve the sentence that we deserve. The wrath of God is poured out, and He who is our sinless substitute must drink it to its complete dregs. The eternal decision within the Godhead stands, but now, in the hour of truth, His human nature as the Son of God erupts with emotions, and a battle rages. To drink or not to drink the cup of God’s wrath for undeserving us.

The Master is on His knees, praying with such fervor and anguished soul because of sinful humanity. 

“Abba, Father, all things are possible for You. Take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will.” His prayer is not a mere request, but a profound expression of submission and trust in the Father’s will.

That is it! Jesus wins the battle of the wills. The will of His human nature would not prevail against that of the Father—the common will within the Godhead. Christ submits to the Father’s will in victory over Satan in Gethsemane. Where Adam and Eve failed in Eden, Christ wins a resounding victory that paved the way for Him to bear our sins on the cross. 

Glory to God for the power of prayer and communion with God in times of need. The prayer of Jesus was so intense that Luke says His sweat poured like drops of blood falling to the ground. Drenched with exhaustion in His travail, an angel from heaven appeared to strengthen Him (Lk. 22:43-44). All for whose sake?

Poor souls that we all are! Our Lord comes to find his disciples asleep (Mk. 14:37). Isn’t that so human—so frail and defenseless? For the three times Jesus returned from praying, He found them asleep. Yet, He went ahead with the eternal redemption plan for which He had come to the world. What a demonstration of His love for us! (Romans 5:8).

In the next moment, Judas and a significant contingent with swords and clubs would come from the chief priests, scribes, and the elders to arrest Jesus. He would betray the Master with a kiss (Mk. 14:45), and all His disciples would flee from Him. Peter would deny three times that he knows Him before the rooster crows (66-72), and He will stand alone in His trials. Despite the pain from them all, Christ Jesus willingly surrendered Himself to every wicked and unjust human process up to His death and burial, that we will receive redemption, the forgiveness of sins (Col. 1:13-14).

So, we respond with the Hymn writer:

Hallelujah! What a Savior!