"Gethsemane, The Hour is Near", by Anthony Falbo.
This post is part of a 13 day series, joining other Christian bloggers from around the world, reading together Frederick S. Leahy's classic, "The Cross He Bore".
Here we see Christ, in the Garden of Gethsemane, being comforted by angels.
But what exactly was it that made our Savior "very sorrowful, even to death"?
An agonizing entreaty - the "cup" that was given to Christ, by the Father, was that he, the sinless Savior, would have poured upon him, the full wrath of a holy, just God.
I don't begin to understand how Jesus Christ, the second person of the Trinity, becomes man, and dwells with us on earth.
Nor do I begin to understand this sacrifice. A sacrifice on behalf of the Father, and the Son.
What the Scriptures tells me, however, is that Jesus Christ became sin, though he was without sin, and bore the full fury of God's wrath, in my stead. The only way to even begin to have an understanding of this sacrificial love is to prayerfully asks the Holy Spirit to teach us.
The awful silence - the Trinity enjoy perfect relationship with each other. I don't understand what that means. I can only imagine. They had no need of us. However, the Father, as a gift to the Son, put into place human beings that might love the Son, and these human beings, being image bearers of the Father, might bring glory to the Son.
When the cup was handed to Christ, in the Garden of Gethsemane, that perfect relationship was severed. Christ become sin! The Father, being pure holiness, will have nothing to do with sin. In fact, his righteous wrath is reserve for sin's destruction.
When Christ asked the Father to remove the cup, provide another way, there was no answer! Silence!
Not only was Christ starring at infinite, and powerful wrath, but he was now completely severed from the most precious, and perfect of relationships. It grieved him deeply.
The unwavering obedience - "Yet not what I will, but what you will".
I don't know about you, but when I force myself to look upon, and meditate on Gethsemane, I am melted. When we begin to understand, how can we do anything but find ourselves also prostrate?
This is most holy ground. Jesus Christ, the second person of the Trinity, laid aside his glory, and obediently gave his life on my behalf.
Do you believe that?
If you do, dear friend, please press on to understanding. You will never be the same again.
