mat 26v39 If it Be Possible Let
This Cup Pass From Me
"... IF IT BE POSSIBLE,
LET THIS
Matthew 26:39
The mysteries of
We do not know what the cup
was which our Lord prayed to have removed, because the Holy Spirit chose not to
tell us. But clearly it is not what most people suppose it was.
Our Lord was not
praying here that he might be delivered from going to the cross to bear the
wrath of God as our substitute. The cross was the goal of his life, not the
dread of it. Never once do we see any hesitancy on the part of Christ to redeem
his people. There was no cowardice in him. He voluntarily agreed to become our
Substitute and to die in our place on the cross. And he was resolved to
accomplish this mighty work (Ps. 40:7-8; Is. 50:5-7). Eternally, his loving eye
was fixed upon the cross. Coming into the world, he set his face toward
Besides, our Lord knew very well that
it was not possible for the terrible cup of God's wrath to pass from him. He
must take this cup, not from the hands of Judas, Pilate, or the Jews - He must
take this cup from the hands of his Father and drink its bitter dregs until he
had turned it bottom side up. God's immutable decrees and purposes required it.
The covenant of grace required it. The prophecies of the Old Testament required
it. His own suretiship engagements required it. The salvation of his people
required it. The law, justice, and glory of God required the death of our
Substitute.
Blessed be his name: Immanuel
would not be turned aside from his work, until at the appointed hour he cried,
"It is finished!" And his work was done!