Heinrich Hoffman's famous depiction of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane shows a submissive Jesus ready and willing to do whatever the Father asks of him. While this image has inspired millions, I'm not sure it's very accurate. As I read the scriptures, I find Jesus reluctant and argumentative.
(Jesus) went a little farther. Then he fell with his face to the ground. He prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, take this cup of suffering away from me. But let what you want be done, not what I want."
Jesus went away a second time. He prayed, "My Father, is it possible for this cup to be taken away? But if I must drink it, may what you want be done."
Then he came back. Again he found them sleeping. They couldn't keep their eyes open. So he left them and went away once more. For the third time he prayed the same thing. Matthew 26:39,42-44 (NIRV)
Let's put ourselves in the Father's place and consider this story from a human point of view.
Here's the scenario; you ask you son to do something that you know he doesn't want to do. He comes to you and says, "Dad, I really don't want to do this. Isn't there something else I can do instead? But if you really want me to do it, I will." He leaves and you think he's going to do what you asked him. Instead, he comes back and says, "Dad, does this really have to be done? You know I'll do it if that's what you want." Again he leaves, only to return a few minutes later, "Dad, I'm not sure you understand just how much I don't want to do this. There's got to be some other way of handling it. But I'm willing to do it because you asked me to."
I suspect if that were my son, by the third time he tried to get out of it, I'd be losing my tempter. That's not how God responds to Jesus' reluctance however. Luke tells us "An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him." Luke 22:43 (NIV) Jesus' contention that there must be some other way doesn't offend God rather it draws the spiritual presence of God nearer.
I think too often when the story of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane is retold too much emphasis is placed on Jesus' submission to God's will and not enough on Jesus trying to change God's mind.
Somewhere along the line, many Christians have come to believe that they are to be meek and mild, that they are simply to grin and bear it whatever comes their way. When something happens or they're faced with having to do something they don't want to do, it's seen as "my cross to bear." Obviously, Jesus tells us that we must daily take up our cross and follow him, but it's the silent, often times passive-aggressive submission to the cross that I think is wrong.
One of the keys to intimacy with God and to experiencing His presence is to tell God to be completely honest with God. Tell him what you want, argue for it even. In doing so, something miraculous happens, God sometimes changes His mind. Or even more miraculous, we are changed and we are strengthened by God's holy angels to do His will just as Jesus was.
I like your perspective here as well. God bless and Happy Holy Week and Easter.
Posted by: Greg Hazelrig | March 20, 2008 at 03:27 PM