The Pilgrim Path---Luke 22: 39 – 46

And he came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him. And when he came to the place, he said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.” And he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. And being in great agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground. And when he rose from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping for sorrow, and he said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Rise and pray that you may not enter into temptation.”

NEVERTHELESS, NOT MY WILL…

In just a few verses Dr. Luke records one of the most astounding episodes to have ever occurred on earth: a perfect man talks to God the Father about his upcoming sacrifice of himself. An incredible text. The God-man Jesus is the Lamb of God slain from before the foundation of the world---yet there seems to be some hesitancy---as he faces the full fury of God’s judicial wrath upon his soul and body. Can we begin to fathom such a thing? The Prophet Jeremiah says that the cup of God’s wrath is terrible (Jeremiah 25: 15, 16)---no one would want to drink from this cup. It is a cup that you would want to have “pass” from your lips and life. The LORD Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane is so close to taking this cup as his own. The Savior does not deserve God’s wrath---but if his Father is to have dealings with the wicked (like you and I), his Father’s justice must be satisfied. If transgressors would be “free” from the penalty of sin---their sins must be atoned for---and only the blood of a righteous man will be sufficient: this would be Jesus---the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world!

The sheer weight of the obligation ahead has the LORD Jesus say, “Father---I would that this cup---might pass from me.” But for our benefit, the Savior does not “park” on that request. For the guidance of all his followers through the centuries he gives us this lasting Rock of Reference: “Not my will---but Father---Thine be done.” Hmmm---here is the hard and fast rule of the Kingdom: The Father’s Will is right and wise. Make your case in prayer always. But leave “all” matters to the Father’s Holy and Loving disposal and direction. Thus, the admonition: “rise and pray that you enter not into temptation.” Sometimes circumstances have me caught up in sleep---The LORD Jesus reminds us: “Call out to the Father in faith believing.”

From Simon Kistemaker: In connection with Christ’s sweat becoming like thick drops of blood, it is natural that Luke as a physician would inquire into and record this occurrence of hematidrosis. It took place while Jesus, suffering intensely, was engaged in fervent prayer. It must be borne in mind that the human nature of Jesus was sinless, and therefore very sensitive. When these factors---extreme anguish, earnest supplication, unparalleled sensitivity---are combined, the resulting strain can easily cause subcutaneous capillaries to dilate to such an extent that they will burst. And when this happens, as it is almost bound to do, in the vicinity of sweat glands, blood and sweat will be exuded together. This can happen over a larger part of the body. Thick drops or clots of blood, imparting a reddish color to the beads of perspiration, will then trickle down to the ground. The main point to bear in mind is certainly this, that the anguish which brought about this phenomenon was “for us.” It was an indication of the Savior’s undying love for the poor, lost sinners he had come to save.

From J. C. Ryle: The language used by our blessed Master in this place shows exactly what should be the spirit of a believer’s prayer in his distress. Like Jesus, he should tell his desires openly to his heavenly Father and spread His wishes unreservedly before HIM. But like Jesus, he should do it all with an entire submission of will to the will of God…Submission of will like this is one of the brightest graces which can adorn the Christian character. It is one which a child of God ought to aim at in everything if he desires to be like Christ. But at no time is such submission of will so needful as in the day of sorrow, and in nothing does it shine so brightly as in the believer’s prayers for relief….

From Francois Fenelon: LORD, I do not know what I ought to be asking of you. You are the only One who knows what I need. You love me better than I know how to love myself. O Father---give your child what I do not know how to ask for myself. I do not dare ask for crosses or for consolation. All I can do is present myself to you. LORD, I open up my heart to you. Behold my needs---the ones that I am not even aware of. Look at them, and act according to your mercy. Bring suffering on me or heal me, cast me down or raise me up---I Adore your will for me even when I do not know what it is…

A POEM

He Maketh No Mistake / A. M. Overton

My Father’s way may twist and turn,

My heart may throb and ache,

But in my soul, I’m glad to know,

He maketh no mistake.

My cherished plans may go astray,

My hopes may fade away,

But still, I’ll trust my LORD to lead

For he doth know the way.

Though night be dark and it may seem

That day will never break;

I’ll pin my faith, my all in Him,

He maketh no mistake.

There’s so much now I cannot see,

My eyesight’s far too dim;

But come what may, I’ll simply trust

And leave it all to Him.

For by and by the mist will lift

And plain it all He’ll make,

Through all the way, though dark to me,

He made not one mistake.

Grace and Peace in Jesus, the Only Redeemer of broken and wretched souls, Pastor Jason