As one surprised, Christ addressed them, saying, “What, could ye not watch with Me one hour?” They roused themselves, and looked sorrowfully at their Lord. “Watch and pray,” He said, “that ye enter not into temptation.” Then the divine Sufferer excused the disciples, saying, “The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
Christ went away the second time, and prayed earnestly, “O My Father, if this cup may not pass away from Me, except I drink it, Thy will be done.” Again darkness pressed upon His soul with almost unbearable agony, and again He felt a longing for companionship, for some words which would bring relief, and break the spell of darkness that well-nigh overpowered Him. “And He came and found them asleep again; for their eyes were heavy;” “neither wist they what to answer him.” They saw His face marked with the bloody sweat of agony, and they were filled with sorrow; for “His visage was so marred, more than any man.”
Again Christ went away, and prayed that if it were possible this cup might pass from Him. His soul was filled with an overpowering fear of separation from God in consequence of sin. Satan told Him that if He became the substitute and surety for a sinful world, He would nevermore be one with God, but would be under his control.
Three times the prayer ascended to God, “O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from Me,” always followed by the words, “Not My will, but Thine, be done.” Shall the cup pass from the Suffering One? Shall the sacrifice of Christ, ordained before the foundation of the world, and symbolized in every sacrifice offered since Adam’s transgression, be given up? ... Shall that which angels eagerly desired to look into and understand, that which had been the burden of prophecy, that which lay at the foundation of types and shadows, fail after all, leaving Satan and his apostate forces and confederacy of evil to come off triumphant?
O, how much Christ had already suffered as the Son of man, in order to redeem and save men and women!—The Signs of the Times, June 3, 1897.
Further Reflection: In every consequential moment when humanity’s fate hung in the balance, Jesus made the right decision. How can I remain faithful in my hour of trial? JNN 344
“For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy: I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.” Isaiah 57:15. It was when Moses was hidden in the cleft of the rock that he beheld the glory of God. It is when we hide in the riven Rock that Christ will cover us with His own pierced hand, and we shall hear what the Lord saith unto His servants. To us as to Moses, God will reveal Himself as “merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin.” Exodus 34:6, 7. COL 162
“O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.”—Matthew 26:39. NKJV