Day 36 - With this Cup - More of Jesus Devotional

With this Cup.

By Tina Pinson

“My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me, nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” Matthew 26:39b (ESV)

Before Christ’s betrayal and trial and sentence to the cross, He fell before the Father and asked for the cup to pass from Him. What was this Cup? Betrayal. Darkness. Separation. Poison. Sorrow. Death.

Jesus walked with His disciples for three years. And one of those dear friends from his inner circle, Judas, is about to betray Him. Have you ever been betrayed? Do you recall the pain? You didn’t know the betrayal was coming. Jesus did and He still walked with Judas.

He knew Judas would sell Him out for 30 pieces of silver, He knew He would be taken to trial and sentenced (falsely) to death. He knew as He hung on the cross all the poison from every sin -- before time through time’s end -- would be laid on His shoulders. Cloaked under sin’s mantle, He would for a time, a moment, an eternity, be cast into darkness and separated from His father.

So, He prayed. “Father, if it be possible...” Father please, oh please... Can you hear him? Crying, praying so hard He sweat blood. I have never sweated blood, but I remember nights before my father died (and before my mother’s death) I would get up and cry and pray, cry until I had no tears, pray until words escaped me. “God to let this cup of death, pass. Heal them. Please. But not as I will, but as you will God.”

Here is the beautiful part about the Cup? Sure, it came with the dark gruesome mixture of sorrow, blood, sin, and loss. But it was also filled with the life-giving elixir of grace, forgiveness, mercy, hope, and life. And Love. Christ could have said no, but He chose to go.

You see if Christ hadn’t gone to the cross and conquered death, I would forever be separated from God. I wouldn’t know the beauty of life and the true meaning of grace or mercy. I would be stuck in a cold dark existence, separated from light and love. So would you.

Because of His sacrifice on the Cross I have an assurance and hope of life eternal, and in that life, I will see my parents again.

With this Cup, He bought my future. Your future. Take a drink.

Questions:

What is the cup that Christ drank from? What elements in that cup mean the most to you?

Did Christ really need to drink from the cup? Why?

The world would like you to believe that the cup and the cross don’t mean a thing? Christ didn’t have to die to save us. We can save ourselves. What do you think? Could you have taken the cup on your own? Could you have saved yourselves and the world?

Take a couple moments to consider what Christ’s death means for your life. For your future and the future of those you love. Write down some of those thoughts.

Food for thought – Matthew 26:36-46, Mark 14:32-42, Luke 22: 39-46