Calvary’s deepest pain

The LORD laid on Him the iniquity of us all. – Isaiah 53:6

After washing His disciples’ feet and celebrating the Passover with them, Jesus led them into a familiar garden and "began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed" (MATTHEW 26:37). Going a bit farther with Peter, James and John, He said, "My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me" (v. 38).

Then, walking a short distance away, Jesus "fell on His face" before God, saying, "O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will" (v. 39). He did this three times (v. 44).

How do we account for such a surge of emotional turmoil? Only by understanding the "cup" that Jesus asked His Father to take from Him. He was about to bear "the iniquity of us all" (ISAIAH 53:6). That "cup" was filled with the sins of the whole world.

The agony of Gethsemane would culminate on the cross in His heart-wrenching cry: "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?" (MATTHEW 27:46). Jesus’ physical pain was nothing compared with Calvary’s deepest pain – the awful reality of being abandoned by His Father. God made Jesus "to be sin for us" (2 CORINTHIANS 5:2), so the Father had to turn away from Him.

Praise God for His great love for us! – Herbert Vander Lugt

"Man of Sorrows", what a name

For the Son of God who came

Ruined sinners to reclaim!

Hallelujah! What a Savior! – Bliss


READ: MATTHEW 26:36-46

Christ braved the shadow of eternal death to bring us the sunshine of eternal life.