Luke 22:39-48

Vs 39-42

“As was his custom.” Jesus participated in the corporate religious traditions, but he had his own rhythms of spending time with the Father. The garden seemed to be a “thin place” for Jesus. Appreciate traditions as blessings or tools without making them necessities. Take responsibility for your spiritual growth and use the things that make it habit and make it more easy. 1. It’s consistently talked about in scripture. 2. Jesus embraced this idea. 

Jesus prays for the cup to pass from him. 1. Fourth Passover cup 2. OT language of God’s divine wrath toward sin condensed into a blood red liquid and the guilty being forced to drink it. Jeremiah 25, Isaiah 51

Jesus is praying that he wouldn’t have to suffer for the freedom of humanity. The flesh part of Jesus is hoping for possibly another route like a sacrifice being provided for Abraham in order to spare Isaac. 

“Nevertheless, not my will, but yours be done.” This is the realness of Jesus’ humanity. Jesus is undoing what Adam, what all of us have done. 

Within God there is one will, not three separate wills. How then does Jesus pray, “not my will, but yours?” Jesus carries two natures; divine and human. The human nature of Jesus is submitting to the divine nature of God. It is very important that we don’t think that Jesus is trying to save us from the father with a separate will God saves us from the punishment of sin through himself in the Son. Too many of us come to faith thinking God is going to solve all of my problems and do my will. 

Vs 43-46

Luke, the physician tells us that Jesus sweat blood. His blood pressure skyrockets and he experiences hematidrosis. Angles minister to him. Jesus urges the disciples to pray to resist temptation. What temptation? We tend to think of temptation as just gratification of the flesh. The temptation was for self preservation in the face of danger; to fall away from the confession of Jesus. This temptation applies to us too. Every time we play down our identification with Jesus because of embarrassment or discomfort we fall into this temptation. There is also the temptation to assume that my expectations are right and to respond with violence. “Pyrosmos” can be translated test, trial, or temptation. Some scholars think that Jesus is telling them to pray that they won’t have to go through the test or trial. 

Vs 47-48

Judas uses a sign of affection to betray Jesus. This wasn’t just betrayal. It was wildly offensive. We are all guilty of betraying Jesus. Outwardly Judas/we declare our affection for Jesus, but inwardly we refuse to submit to his way.