What did Jesus mean by 'let this cup pass from me'?

In the Garden of Gethsemane, as the weight of His impending crucifixion bore down upon Him, Jesus uttered a profound and deeply human prayer: "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will" (Matthew 26:39, ESV). This moment, captured in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, reveals the depth of Jesus' anguish and the complexity of His mission. To understand what Jesus meant by "let this cup pass from me," we must delve into the context of His prayer, the symbolism of the "cup," and the theological significance of His submission to the Father's will.

To begin, it is essential to recognize the context in which Jesus prayed these words. The Garden of Gethsemane was a place of intense spiritual struggle for Jesus. He was fully aware of the suffering that awaited Him—betrayal, mockery, scourging, and ultimately, crucifixion. The physical agony He anticipated was immense, but even more daunting was the spiritual burden He was about to bear. Jesus, the sinless Son of God, was preparing to take upon Himself the sins of the world. As Paul later wrote, "For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God" (2 Corinthians 5:21, ESV).

The "cup" Jesus referred to is a significant biblical metaphor. In the Old Testament, the cup often symbolizes God's wrath and judgment. For instance, in Psalm 75:8, it is written, "For in the hand of the Lord there is a cup with foaming wine, well mixed, and he pours out from it, and all the wicked of the earth shall drain it down to the dregs" (ESV). Similarly, the prophet Isaiah speaks of the "cup of staggering" and the "bowl of my wrath" (Isaiah 51:17, ESV). In this context, the cup represents the full measure of divine judgment against sin.

When Jesus prayed for the cup to pass from Him, He was expressing His intense desire to avoid the horrific suffering and separation from the Father that bearing this judgment would entail. This prayer highlights Jesus' genuine humanity. He experienced real fear, sorrow, and distress. Hebrews 4:15 reminds us, "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin" (ESV). Jesus' plea in Gethsemane underscores His identification with our human frailty and His empathy for our struggles.

However, Jesus' prayer did not end with a request for the cup to pass. He continued, "Nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will." This crucial phrase reveals Jesus' ultimate submission to the Father's will. Despite His natural aversion to the impending suffering, Jesus was committed to fulfilling His redemptive mission. His obedience was not a reluctant concession but a willing and loving act of self-sacrifice. As Philippians 2:8 states, "And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross" (ESV).

Theologically, Jesus' submission to the Father's will in the Garden of Gethsemane is profoundly significant. It demonstrates the perfect harmony between the will of the Son and the will of the Father. Jesus' prayer was not a sign of weakness or doubt but an affirmation of His trust in the Father's plan. It was a moment of profound faith and surrender. In John 10:17-18, Jesus declared, "For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father" (ESV).

Moreover, Jesus' willingness to drink the cup of God's wrath on our behalf is the cornerstone of the Christian faith. It is through His sacrificial death that we are reconciled to God. The Apostle Peter eloquently captures this truth: "He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed" (1 Peter 2:24, ESV). Jesus' acceptance of the cup signifies His role as the Suffering Servant prophesied in Isaiah 53, who would bear the iniquities of many and make intercession for transgressors.

Furthermore, Jesus' prayer in Gethsemane serves as a model for our own prayers and struggles. It teaches us that it is not wrong to express our desires and fears to God. Jesus did not hide His anguish but brought it before the Father with honesty and vulnerability. Yet, His prayer also teaches us the importance of surrendering our will to God's will. In times of trial and uncertainty, we can find solace in Jesus' example, trusting that God's plans are ultimately for our good and His glory. As Romans 8:28 assures us, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose" (NIV).

In Christian literature, many theologians and writers have reflected on the significance of Jesus' prayer in Gethsemane. For instance, Charles Spurgeon, the renowned 19th-century preacher, emphasized the depth of Jesus' suffering and the magnitude of His love for humanity. In one of his sermons, Spurgeon remarked, "It was the sight of the cup—the cup of wrath—that caused the Savior to sweat great drops of blood. He had a vivid view of the consequences of sin and the punishment that must follow it, and this made Him cry, 'If it be possible, let this cup pass from me.'"

Similarly, A.W. Tozer, a prominent Christian author, wrote about the profound mystery of Jesus' submission to the Father's will. In his book "The Pursuit of God," Tozer reflected, "The agony in the garden was not just a physical struggle; it was a spiritual battle of the highest order. Jesus' willingness to drink the cup of suffering was a testament to His unwavering commitment to the Father's plan and His boundless love for us."

In conclusion, Jesus' prayer, "let this cup pass from me," encapsulates the profound tension between His human desire to avoid suffering and His divine commitment to fulfill the Father's redemptive plan. The "cup" symbolizes the full measure of God's wrath and judgment against sin, which Jesus willingly bore on our behalf. His prayer in Gethsemane reveals His genuine humanity, His perfect obedience, and His boundless love for humanity. It serves as a powerful reminder of the depth of His sacrifice and the assurance of our salvation through His atoning work. As we reflect on this moment in the Garden of Gethsemane, may we be inspired to follow Jesus' example of honesty in prayer and unwavering trust in God's will.