35 Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that, if possible, the hour might pass from him. 36 “Abba,[b] Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” (Mark 14:35-36)

In the garden of Gethsemane, on the lower slopes of the Mount of Olives, Jesus left his disciples alone so he could pray.  This place was the scene of Jesus’ sorrowful time of prayer, betrayal and arrest.  Ironically the name Gethsemane means “oil press” suggesting it was in a grove of olive trees which had an area for pressing oil.  

In this reflection let’s focus on Jesus’ time of prayer.  According to Luke’s account, he was in such despair that “his sweat became as drops of blood”.  Jesus himself was pressed at this point. It was not so much the horrible physical torture he would soon face but the spiritual horror of having to bear all our sins on himself and becoming a willing sacrifice for those sins.  His response was described in Hebrews 5:7-8 as with “vehement cries and tears”.

It was in this moment that Jesus cried out “Abba, Father”.  Abba, a term of endearment and intimate connection between a father and child.  Father, the formal acknowledgement, honor and respect of God’s authority.

Jesus knew that if there was another way that God could satisfy the penalty of our sins, he would spare his son.   Jesus’ sacrifice was and is THE ONLY remedy. Jesus came to the point of decision at Gethsemane to accept the “cup” of God’s wrath because it was God’s perfect will.  He ultimately “drank” that cup on the cross of Calvary.

Jesus knowingly accepted his cup rather than further pleading for it to be taken from him.  So, what about us?  Charles Spurgeon says, “in any case, our cup can never be as deep or as bitter as was his, and there were in his cup some ingredients that never will be found in ours”. 

When you are faced with a seemingly impossible, unbearable situation do you only ask for God to make it go away and resolve whatever is causing it?  That’s human nature.  Can we approach God as our Abba, Father and trust that somehow bearing this “cup” will turn out for much greater good in our lives and perhaps others?  Instead of asking God to “take this away” what if we pray in the spirit of the Phillips Brooks quote “I do not pray for a lighter load, but for a stronger back”.  Instead of wishing for an easier path, ask for the strength to face the challenge head on as an opportunity to grow and deepen your faith.

Don't pray for a lighter load but a stronge back.