Jesus drank the bitter cup of God's wrath, so that we might taste the sweet cup of God's salvation. How bitter was the cup our Savior emptied for us? Look no further than to the gospel accounts of Gethsemane. The garden's very name means "oil press." It's an aptly named stage upon which we see Jesus hard-pressed in His humanity, suffering emotionally like no one has ever suffered. "He began to be troubled and deeply distressed..." Mark 14:33 (NKJV) There was nothing in Christ's humanity to dull the emotional pain He suffered for us: "My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch." Mark 14:34 Jesus sought solace in the company of His closest followers. Yet He drew nearer still to the Father – as He always had – that He might win "the battle before the battle" at Calvary. Surely Jesus' first disciples learned much from His agony in the garden. Their spiritual battles, like ours, often must be won before the crisis starts. It's simply too late to "watch and pray" when the crisis is raging; such critical defenses are needed much sooner. This Sunday, we'll return to our study in Mark's gospel with, "Responding to Jesus: Agony in the Garden." I hope to see you here!
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Steve Massey is the pastor of Hayden Bible Church of Hayden, Idaho. He also writes about matters of faith for The Spokesman-Review of Spokane, Wash., where he previously worked as an editor and reporter. He and his wife, Pam, have two grown children, Jake and Sarah.
