The Real Jesus (IV)Jesus the Pray-er

Prayer as a Reflection Jesus’ Trust in and Surrender to the Father

In the Face of Suffering

In the Face of SufferingLuke 22:39-46

“And He came out and proceeded as was His custom to the Mount of Olives; and the disciples also followed Him. When He arrived at the place, He said to them, ‘Pray that you may not enter into temptation.’ And He withdrew from them about a stone's throw, and He knelt down and began to pray, saying, ‘Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done.’ Now an angel from heaven appeared to Him, strengthening Him. And being in agony He was praying very fervently; and His sweat became like drops of blood, falling down upon the ground. When He rose from prayer, He came to the disciples and found them sleeping from sorrow, and said to them, ‘Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray that you may not enter into temptation.’”

In the Face of Suffering

Mk 14:34-36“My soul is deeply grieved to the point of death.…began to pray that if it were possible, the hour might pass Him by. And He was saying, ‘Abba! Father! All things are possible for You; remove this cup from Me; yet not what I will, but what You will.’”

In the Face of Suffering

Hebrews 5:7In the days of His flesh, He offered up both prayers and supplications with loud crying and tears to the One able to save Him from death, and He was heard because of His piety.

In the Face of Suffering

Option One: Jesus’ only prayer for himself, and it wasn’t granted!› Unless the real purpose of the prayer was not

that he would change, but rather accept God’s will

In the Face of Suffering

Another perspective (Option 2):› What did Jesus fear?

The physical suffering? Thousands before and after suffered the same:

In the Face of Suffering

Another perspective (Option 2):› Why would Jesus ask that the “cup” be

removed? Was always determined to drink it:

Luke 12:50“But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is accomplished!”

In the Face of Suffering

Another perspective (Option 2):› Why would Jesus ask that the “cup” be

removed? Was always determined to do God’s will:

John 6:38“For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.”

In the Face of Suffering

Another perspective (Option 2):› Why would Jesus ask that the “cup” be

removed? Rebuked Peter for suggesting otherwise:

Matthew 16:22-23“Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, ‘God forbid it, Lord! This shall never happen to You.’ But He turned and said to Peter, ‘Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God's interests, but man's.’”

In the Face of Suffering

Another perspective (Option 2):› Why would Jesus ask that the “cup” be

removed? Said he would not make such a request:

John 12:27“Now My soul has become troubled; and what shall I say, ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? But for this purpose I came to this hour.”

In the Face of Suffering

Another perspective (Option 2):› Jesus’ prayer was “heard” (granted):

Heb 5:7“In the days of His flesh, He offered up both prayers and supplications with loud crying and tears to the One able to save Him from death, and He was heard because of His piety.”

In the Face of Suffering

Another perspective (Option 2):› Jesus’ prayer was “heard” (granted)

Was the “cup” then removed?

In the Face of Suffering

Another perspective (Option 2):› What was the “cup”?

“Cup” = “Cup of God’s wrath” Jer 25:15-19

“For thus the Lord, the God of Israel, says to me, ‘Take this cup of the wine of wrath from My hand and cause all the nations to whom I send you to drink it. They will drink and stagger and go mad because of the sword that I will send among them.’ Then I took the cup from the Lord's hand and made all the nations to whom the Lord sent me drink it: Jerusalem and the cities of Judah and its kings and its princes, to make them a ruin, a horror, a hissing and a curse, as it is this day;”

In the Face of Suffering

Another perspective (Option 2):› Jesus request: The “cup of God’s wrath” be

removed after he drinks it, and that the hour pass after he passes through it:

Mt 26:42“My Father, if this cannot pass away unless I drink it, Your will be done:”

In the Face of Suffering

Another perspective (Option 2):› Jerusalem drank the cup of God’s anger, then

God removed the cup from her:Isa 51:17

“Rouse yourself! Rouse yourself! Arise, O Jerusalem,You who have drunk from the Lord's hand the cup of His anger;The chalice of reeling you have drained to the dregs….21 Therefore, please hear this, you afflicted,Who are drunk, but not with wine: Thus says your Lord, the Lord, even your GodWho contends for His people,‘Behold, I have taken out of your hand the cup of reeling,The chalice of My anger;You will never drink it again.’”

In the Face of Suffering

Another perspective (Option 2):› What about, “Yet not my will, but yours be

done”?

In the Face of Suffering

Another perspective (Option 2):› What about, “Yet not my will, but yours be

done”?

In the Face of Suffering

Another perspective (Option 2):› What about, “Yet not my will, but yours be

done”?Jn 6:27

“Do not work for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you, for on Him the Father, God, has set His seal.”

In the Face of Suffering

Another perspective (Option 2):› What about, “Yet not my will, but yours be

done”?1 Peter 3:3-4

“Your adornment must not be merely external — braiding the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or putting on dresses; but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God.”

In the Face of Suffering

Another perspective (Option 2):› What about, “Yet not my will, but yours be

done”? “Not only…but also”

“Yet not only my will, but Yours be done” “Yet this is not my will, but foremostly Yours”

In the Face of Suffering

Another perspective (Option 2):› A prayer of total surrender to God’s will:

Randy’s NIV (North Idaho Version): “Father, if it be possible, after I drink this cup, remove it

from me. Let this hour come to an end, lest it utterly destroy me. All things are possible with you. Yet this is not only my will, but foremostly yours:”

Trusting the Father for the Strength to Forgive

Luke 23:34“But Jesus was saying, ‘Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.’”

Trusting the Father for the Strength to Forgive

How could Jesus be so forgiving:› Lays it in the Father’s hands:

Though Jesus himself had the authority to forgive sins on earth (Lk 5:24; 7:37f; 23:42), he refrains in this case: Why? No repentance (Lk 3:3; 24:37; 13:5)

Trusting the Father for the Strength to Forgive

How could Jesus be so forgiving:› Lays it in the Father’s hands:

But he “gives up the grudge”

Lk 17:3-4“Be on your guard! If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. And if he sins against you seven times a day, and returns to you seven times, saying, 'I repent,' forgive him.’”

Trusting the Father for the Strength to Forgive

How could Jesus be so forgiving:› Lays it in the Father’s hands:› Saw their act as done in ignorance:

“…for they do not know what they are doing:”

Entrusting His Life to the Hands of the Father

Lk 23:46“Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit”

Entrusting His Life to the Hands of the Father

“Father” – Fellowship restored Jesus died as he lived – in prayer and

trust, committing himself to the Father

Prayer as a Reflection Jesus’ Trust in and Surrender to the Father…

• In the Face of Suffering• Trusting the Father for the Strength to Forgive

• Entrusting His Life to the Hands of the Father