Today, reply is on the suffering of mankind expressed through Jesus Christ at Gethsemane. Like David, who fasted and prayed for a sick child, daring to seek relief from divine rebuke and unanswered prayer, yet still had to accept the immutable judgment against himself, Jesus sought to reason with the Father on accepting an alternative to the cross that would continue his living ministry on the earth. In accepting the duty of tending his father’s sheep, David became accountable for each member of the flock, and did not rely on GOD to intervene whenever he might have to retrieve them from the jaws of a lion or a bear. Similarly, Jesus accepted accountability for the flock he was given, and was not to rely on action by the Father to complete the duty of the Son as the Good Shepherd. The meaning, purpose, and work of the blood of Gethsemane was not the same as that for the blood of his scourging, and the blood of the cross. The humanity of Jesus had to be authentic, and could not be artificial, counterfeit, or a “knock off.” Even so, the Savior’s makeup and integrity are manifested differently according to different demands, forms, and requirements of law (e.g., carnal, covenant, mechanical, natural, sacred), and the possibilities for his operating at the same time as the son of Man, as the Son of GOD, and as one sharing the fullness of divinity (we say, the GODhead; the Trinity; the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit). Just as incense was used to lift and make fragrant the prayers of the saints, yet, was not enough to replace the blood of atonement, the blood of Jesus offered to supply a new testament could not be sufficient without the cross. A writer in the “Yahoo! Answers” forum using the ID “jacque” (Level 1 with 26 points, a member since March 07, 2018) posted the following:
Why did jesus ask the lord to take this cup away from him when he knew he can take it and endure all the pain on the cross?
THE GOLDEN ARROW: Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin. And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. (Hebrews 12: 1-10, King James Version, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Whoso Keepeth His Word (03/09/2018); Using Repetition in Prayer? (02/21/2018); Sons of GOD Suffer? (09/19/2017); Accepting the Divine Will? (12/06/2016); The Cross was Premature? (04/07/2016); The Passion at Gethsemane (03/28/2013); Separated and Sealed? (03/29/2013)
“jacque”, even like all of us, today, Jesus had to be careful not to “overplay his hand,” so to speak. Jesus behaved before GOD as an ordinary human on our behalf. While demonstrating faith and reliance upon divinity, he continued to humble himself, focusing all upon the will of GOD, rather than answering self-promotion. Following the Passover meal where he instituted the Lord’s Supper, Jesus and his apostles went out to the Garden of Gethsemane, where they would camp the night. However, just as the Savior could feel a light breeze, the heat of a summer day, and the cold of a long night, the Lord sensed the impending doom, and realized his dying on the cross was swiftly approaching. As the Son of the Highest, Jesus turned to the Father confessing gratitude and offering fervent prayer.
Among mature Christians, that a man can not be accountable for, become correct by self-will (his own willpower), or explain and justify his sin and transgression of divine law is an overwhelming limitation that utterly condemns the living to despair, hopelessness, and eternal separation from GOD. The courage required for one to go before GOD, and plead in judgment while aware of the truth of their guiltiness can be neither fashioned nor purchased through the finite tools and resources of the flesh. Being in the form and process of a created being, a man, Jesus could be certain of (be sure; know) many things, yet, he continued to always be in a mode like every other man of “risk-taking” and uncertainty. To lose proper balance and focus would be to blaspheme GOD, presume upon the divine sovereign, despise the sacred mercy within judgment, and incur total damnation.
Jesus did not suffer physical harm at Gethsemane; however, emotionally, psychologically, and spiritually, Jesus endured great anguish and isolation in place of sanctification along with weakness rather than strength. Consider again the following that uses language from the Bible:
(1.) Luke 18: 10-14, King James Version (KJV): 10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. 11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. 12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. 13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
(2.) Matthew 26: 40-42, KJV: 40 And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour? 41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. 42 He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.
(3.) Mark 13: 31-37, KJV: 31 Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away. 32 But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. 33 Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is. 34 For the Son of Man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. 35 Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: 36 Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. 37 And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.
There is far more to be said, thoughtfully practiced, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, (4.) James 5: 16-18, KJV: 16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. 17 Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. 18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington,
DC
