In Luke 22:42, Jesus said, "Father, if it is your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done." What did Jesus actually mean in this conversation with God the Father? Some people think Jesus was saying He wish not to go through the humiliation or suffering (or pain) of arrest (& eventually the suffering at the cross). But was that really all? Jesus couldn't stand the humiliation, pain & physical/emotional suffering? I truly believe He could stand all these.
So then, what did Jesus actually mean? Let's look at the word 'cup' in Luke 22:42 first. It is ‘poterion’ in Greek, which means ‘a drinking vessel; a situation/happening one goes through, a lot, a fate, a portion’. So, ‘to drink the cup’ means 'to go through the situation/lot/fate/portion, no matter how bitter or sweet it is to go through'. Now, I don’t like to use the word ‘fate’, as I don’t believe in statements like, “Well, I’m fated to be poor and a failure all my life”. However, let's look at this word in the context of Jesus at the cross. He had to go through it (in order to reconcile men to God). He had to 'drink' this ‘cup’ of poverty, failure, or defeat on the cross, so that you can now drink the ‘cup’ of blessing, prosperity & victory!
Now, the truth is it wasn't really the physical/emotional suffering or humiliation (at the hands of His persecutors) that Jesus wish not, but it was His 'separation' from God the Father (read Mark 15:33-39). This Father-Son relationship cannot be separated. They are One. Jesus Himself said, "I and My Father are One" (John 10:30). This Father-Son relationship is like ‘sun & light’. To separate this Father-Son relationship is like 'separating the sun from its light'! The sun 'loses its glory' when it loses its light. This Father-Son relationship is a relationship of love, and they are inseparable. But for once (& for all), they had to separate so that we can become ‘one’ with God again (Romans 5:8, Romans 8:35-39). Such is God’s amazing love for you and me!
In Mark 15:33, this 'separation' of Father & Son was even reflected in the natural realm ('there was darkness over the whole land', i.e. no sunlight). What happens in the spiritual realm is reflected in the natural realm.
The Father was separated from the Son (Jesus) at the cross (Mark 15:34-39), so now we are ‘at-oned’ (atoned) with God again (for sin has separated us from God, and the wages of sin is death). God the Son (Jesus) who knew no sin became sin for us, so that we can now be the righteousness of God (in right standing with God) through Christ (2 Corinthians 5:21).
Certain things happen only once in eternity. Jesus was separated from His Father once and for all, as a perfect offering on the cross (Hebrews 10:14) for you and me. He has paved the way for you to eternal life (John 3:16, John 14:6). The cross made all the difference!
Jesus was totally God but also totally man (yet with no sin) in his 33 years on earth. He took on the bodily form, like you and me. So, of course He could also experience pain, even the physical ones. But the greatest pain is still the pain of separation. Pain (whatever pain it may be) never originates from God. Pain is a consequence of sin (Genesis 3:16). The first time 'pain' was written in the Bible was after the fall of Adam & Eve (i.e. Eve had to give birth in pain). But the good news is Jesus has already carried all your 'pain' on the cross, so you will not!
In your communion time, as you partake the drink, say, “Jesus, thank you for drinking (taking) my ‘cup’ of death, so I can now drink (receive) your ‘cup’ of life”. Jesus has indeed taken your 'cup' of death (bitterness) so that you can now have the 'cup' that runs over (overflowing with sweetness & the goodness of God). How do I know? Psalm 23:5 says so. Begin looking to Jesus as your Shepherd, and you'll have this 'cup'! He has taken this 'cup' of separation at the cross, so that you have the cup of 'at-one-ment' (atonement, i.e. 'at one', reconciled with God again). And not only that, Psalm 23:5 also says 'He prepares a table (banquet) before you in the presence of your enemies'. You know what? Victory is yours for the taking now. The devil has already been defeated. Celebrate your victory today!
