Wednesday 24 October 2007

Background

This passage shows Jesus wrestling with what lies ahead - hisown suffering and death. He has shared a final meal with hisfriends and now comes to pray: to wrestle with God as he faces thenext few hours.

The 'cup' is often a symbol of destiny, but in the gospel it oftendenotes suffering and death.

The image of a 'cup' is full of resonance from earlier in thechapter where it symbolizes both liberation and suffering. Jesushad just shared the Passover Meal with his followers, whichcommemorates the deliverance of the Israelites from Egypt.

In the gospels, Jesus interprets the Passover cup as one thatsymbolizes both his own death and a new relationship with God -"This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in myblood" (Luke 22:20). Now he wrestles with the reality of what thatmeans he must face.

"Yet not my will but yours." As I consider this week's title ofwrestling faith, I think these are some of the hardest words topray. So often those words have to be wrestled out. Please God makethis happen - that's the easy bit. Yet not my will but yours -that's tough. Is it surprising that Jesus is described as having"sweat like great drops of blood"?

When Jesus returns to his disciples we see the contrast betweenJesus' commitment and the disciples failure even to pray for theirown need.

Immediately after, Jesus is arrested.

To Ponder

Think of those times when you've wrestled withwhat lies ahead. What happened?

Have you ever asked God to take something awayfrom you - a difficult time, something you had to do…? What was theanswer? And what did you do?