Going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” (Matthew 26:39)
I remember vividly the days when our three children would struggle with a variety of illnesses. Often it was my job to coerce them into taking the appropriate medicine to help eliminate or dull the symptoms of their condition.
You know the tricks… distraction, bribes, intimidation… and a father’s toolbox full of other methods. Every once in a while I would have to resort to the simple, direct, and pointed approach. It went something like this: “All right (Andrew, Erik, Alli), I know this medicine isn’t fun to take, but you need to do this. It’s for your own good. Trust Daddy.” Compliance often was followed with a full body shiver as they choked down one more spoonful of hope.
In Matthew 26:39, we’re privileged to be included in the intimate dialog between Jesus and the divine medicine giver. The remedy for the sins of mankind was the ultimate distasteful medicine. Jesus knew the bitterness of God’s request. And so, much like any son or daughter would do, He asked His Father if there was any other way. Was there a hidden plan that could be revealed at the last minute… like God had miraculously done with Abraham and his son Isaac?
Yet in the midst of the anguished anticipation, Jesus defers. He was prepared to swallow the most painful medicine ever prescribed so that He could become our medicine. His sacrifice became our cure. His wounds, our balm.
I can only imagine the heart of the Father… looking into the pain-filled eyes of His only begotten Son. “Father, My Father… is there any other way? Is it really My task to embrace the sins of all mankind in My own sinless arms?” What pain for a father. And yet, for us… God looked into that face and said, “Trust Me.”
God’s prescription, our condition. Through Christ, we are healed.
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