What‘s in That Cup?

April 20th, 2023

Scripture: “…And He said, Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Take this Cup away from
Me; nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will.” (Mark 14:36 NKJ) … “Oh My Father, if it is
possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.” (Matthew 26:39-
- NKJ)

The Lord Jesus was about doing the Father’s will during His entire experience in
His walk. Scripture supports that Jesus has remained focused since His parents
found him in the Temple. He demonstrated behavior beyond His physical age
(Luke 2:49). He said that He was about His Father’s business. Nevertheless, Jesus
returned to His parents’ home that same day and was content under their
authority.

The place is Gethsemane, as recorded in the Gospels: Matthew 26:39-42,
Mark 14:36, Luke 22:42, John 18:11. Jesus here engages the terrible and
agonizing thoughts of having to drink the cup “My Father has given Me,” (John
18:11). The cup symbolizes the suffering Jesus would be required to undergo in
the horrible death that has come night to Him. Jesus foresaw the details of His
death by crucifixion (Matt. 20:19). The agony over drinking the cup was real for
this Jesus, who was all man and fully God. Nevertheless, it was the Father’s will
that “everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life; and I
will raise him up at the last day.” (John 6:40) “Whoever rejects the Son will not
see life, for God’s wrath remains on them (John 3:36).”

The CUP Jesus drinks on the cross is the cup of God’s wrath – the fury of the
Father against sin of all types. Those sins include terrible crimes, adultery, careless
words, dishonoring lies, and more. God poured out His wrath with full strength
onto the Son at Golgotha. “For our sake, He made Him to be sin who knew no sin,
that we might become the righteousness of God in Him (2 Cor. 5:21).” “Jesus
drank the cup of God’s wrath for us so that He could extend the cup of God’s
fellowship to us.” The wrath of God was satisfied. The Cup Consumed for Us- by
Steven Lee, Pastor; 9/7/2014.

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines wrath as “ strong vengeful anger or
indignation, punishment for an offense or crime, divine chastisement. God’s
wrath against mankind is His holy and justified response to man’s sin and his
disobedience, which reject His perfect plan of love.” (John 3:36) “ God’s wrath is
revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who
suppress the truth that God has shown through creation and His eternal power
(Rom. 1:18).” [Clarence L. Haynes Jr.; 9/2020]

Prayer: Father, Oh what debts of Your love. Jesus, we honor and adore You. You
drank the cup of wrath (all types of sin) for me. Glory to Your Name. Amen.
By Novella D. Carpenter