April 25th
Luke 22:39-46
Jesus Prays on the Mount of Olives
And he came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him. And when he came to the place, he said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.” And he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. And being in agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground. And when he rose from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping for sorrow, and he said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Rise and pray that you may not enter into temptation.” (ESV)
Jesus' agony in prayer shows us how much he loved us, that he would accept the cup of wrath for our sake. Jesus was obedient to the will of the Father. He set aside his own prerogatives in favor of his people that he calls out in this age.
The ESV study Bible notes about v42:
Luke 22:42 On Father, ... this cup. A metaphor for Jesus’ future suffering (cf. Matt. 20:22–23; Mark 10:38–39). It is clear from the OT that the taking of the cup denotes that Jesus took upon himself the wrath of God (cf. Isa. 51:17, 22; Jer. 25:15, 17, 28; 49:12; Lam. 4:21; Ezek. 23:31–33; Hab. 2:16; Zech. 12:2), so that he died for the sake of and instead of his people (cf. notes on Mark 14:36; John 18:11; Romans 3:25; 1 John 2:2). Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done. Jesus consciously, voluntarily, and obediently “endured the cross, despising the shame” (Hebrews 12:2).
and again re: v44:
Luke 22:44 Jesus was in agony (Gk. agōnia) in anticipation of bearing “our sins in his own body on the tree” (1 Pet. 2:24), and therefore he prayed more earnestly. his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground. Though the word “like” may indicate that this is to be understood metaphorically, there are both ancient and modern accounts on record of people sweating blood—a condition known as hematidrosis, where extreme anguish or physical strain causes one’s capillary blood vessels to dilate and burst, mixing sweat and blood. In either case, Luke’s main purpose is to highlight the intensity of Jesus’ emotional and physical trauma.
What our savior endured is unimaginable. God the Father loved the world so much that he gave his Son.The Holy Spirit applies Jesus' work to us and sanctifies us. Soon in the gospel of Luke, Jesus will relinquish his life for the elect's sake; their redemption from sin. We ponder the mystery of it and thank him for his saving grace.
Romans 8:33 - Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. (ESV)
Maranatha! IC -|- XC
Luke 22:39-46
Jesus Prays on the Mount of Olives
And he came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him. And when he came to the place, he said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.” And he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. And being in agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground. And when he rose from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping for sorrow, and he said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Rise and pray that you may not enter into temptation.” (ESV)
Jesus' agony in prayer shows us how much he loved us, that he would accept the cup of wrath for our sake. Jesus was obedient to the will of the Father. He set aside his own prerogatives in favor of his people that he calls out in this age.
The ESV study Bible notes about v42:
Luke 22:42 On Father, ... this cup. A metaphor for Jesus’ future suffering (cf. Matt. 20:22–23; Mark 10:38–39). It is clear from the OT that the taking of the cup denotes that Jesus took upon himself the wrath of God (cf. Isa. 51:17, 22; Jer. 25:15, 17, 28; 49:12; Lam. 4:21; Ezek. 23:31–33; Hab. 2:16; Zech. 12:2), so that he died for the sake of and instead of his people (cf. notes on Mark 14:36; John 18:11; Romans 3:25; 1 John 2:2). Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done. Jesus consciously, voluntarily, and obediently “endured the cross, despising the shame” (Hebrews 12:2).
and again re: v44:
Luke 22:44 Jesus was in agony (Gk. agōnia) in anticipation of bearing “our sins in his own body on the tree” (1 Pet. 2:24), and therefore he prayed more earnestly. his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground. Though the word “like” may indicate that this is to be understood metaphorically, there are both ancient and modern accounts on record of people sweating blood—a condition known as hematidrosis, where extreme anguish or physical strain causes one’s capillary blood vessels to dilate and burst, mixing sweat and blood. In either case, Luke’s main purpose is to highlight the intensity of Jesus’ emotional and physical trauma.
What our savior endured is unimaginable. God the Father loved the world so much that he gave his Son.The Holy Spirit applies Jesus' work to us and sanctifies us. Soon in the gospel of Luke, Jesus will relinquish his life for the elect's sake; their redemption from sin. We ponder the mystery of it and thank him for his saving grace.
Romans 8:33 - Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. (ESV)
Maranatha! IC -|- XC
