Jesus in Gethsemane: The Tension of Divine Will

 

Summary

In our study of Luke 22, we delve into the profound and poignant moments of Jesus' prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane. This passage reveals the intense drama and spiritual struggle that Jesus faced in the final hours before His crucifixion. As He prayed, "Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me; nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done," we witness a rare glimpse into the tension between His human will and the divine will of the Father. This moment is not just a narrative of historical events but a deep theological insight into the nature of Christ's dual natures—fully human and fully divine.

The night was filled with significant events: the institution of the Lord's Supper, the betrayal by Judas, and the prediction of Peter's denial. It was a night of instruction and prayer, where Jesus offered His High Priestly Prayer for His disciples and all believers. Yet, in Gethsemane, His prayer turned inward, as He faced the impending wrath of God symbolized by the "cup" He was to drink. This cup represented the full measure of divine wrath, a concept that challenges our understanding of God's justice and mercy.

The Monothelite heresy, which claimed that Christ had only one will, is refuted by this passage, as it clearly shows the distinction between Jesus' human desire and His submission to the Father's will. This theological tension underscores the mystery of the incarnation and the profound sacrifice Jesus was about to make. The agony He experienced, sweating drops of blood, highlights the gravity of the moment and the weight of the sin He was to bear.

In our modern context, we often struggle to grasp the reality of God's wrath, which makes it difficult to fully appreciate the significance of Jesus' sacrifice. Yet, this passage calls us to reflect on the seriousness of sin and the depth of Christ's love and obedience. As we consider the disciples' inability to stay awake and watch with Jesus, we are reminded of our own spiritual lethargy and the need for vigilance in our faith.

Key Takeaways:

- The Garden of Gethsemane reveals the profound tension between Jesus' human will and the divine will of the Father, illustrating the mystery of the incarnation and the dual natures of Christ. This moment challenges us to reflect on our own submission to God's will in our lives. [06:36]

- The "cup" that Jesus prayed to be removed symbolizes the full measure of God's wrath, a concept that underscores the seriousness of sin and the depth of Christ's sacrificial love. Understanding this helps us appreciate the gravity of Jesus' mission and the salvation He offers. [10:51]

- The Monothelite heresy, which claimed Christ had only one will, is refuted by the distinction between Jesus' human desire and His submission to the Father's will. This theological insight deepens our understanding of the incarnation and the nature of Christ's obedience. [08:33]

- The disciples' inability to stay awake and watch with Jesus serves as a reminder of our own spiritual lethargy and the importance of vigilance in our faith. We are called to be spiritually awake and attentive to God's presence and work in our lives. [23:33]

- The reality of God's wrath, often overlooked in modern theology, is a central theme in this passage. It challenges us to take sin seriously and to recognize the necessity of Christ's atoning sacrifice for our salvation. [22:00]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:22] - Jesus' Prayer in Gethsemane
[01:10] - The Night of Drama
[03:07] - The Last Supper and Betrayal
[04:00] - Peter's Denial Predicted
[04:45] - High Priestly Prayer
[05:36] - Arrest and Trial
[06:36] - The Tension of Wills
[08:21] - Monothelite Heresy
[10:01] - Two Wills of Christ
[10:51] - The Cup of Wrath
[12:50] - Revelation's Insight
[14:28] - Jesus' Agony
[20:15] - Sweating Blood
[22:00] - The Reality of God's Wrath
[23:33] - Disciples' Sleepiness
[26:01] - The Resurrection Hope

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Garden of Gethsemane

Bible Reading:
- Luke 22:39-46
- Revelation 14:17-20
- Psalm 22:1

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Observation Questions:

1. What specific request did Jesus make in His prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane, and how did He ultimately submit to the Father's will? [00:22]

2. How did Jesus' physical reaction in the garden, as described in Luke 22, illustrate the intensity of His spiritual struggle? [01:10]

3. What was the significance of the "cup" that Jesus referred to in His prayer, and how is it related to the concept of God's wrath? [10:51]

4. How did the disciples respond to Jesus' request to stay awake and pray with Him, and what does this reveal about their spiritual state at that moment? [23:33]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the tension between Jesus' human will and the divine will of the Father in the Garden of Gethsemane deepen our understanding of the dual natures of Christ? [06:36]

2. In what ways does the "cup" that Jesus prayed to be removed symbolize the seriousness of sin and the depth of Christ's sacrificial love? [10:51]

3. How does the Monothelite heresy, which claimed Christ had only one will, contrast with the biblical account of Jesus' prayer in Gethsemane? [08:33]

4. What does the disciples' inability to stay awake and watch with Jesus teach us about the importance of spiritual vigilance in our own lives? [23:33]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you struggled to submit your will to God's will. How can Jesus' example in the Garden of Gethsemane inspire you to trust and obey God more fully in similar situations? [06:36]

2. The "cup" represents the full measure of God's wrath. How does understanding this aspect of Jesus' sacrifice impact your view of sin and the need for repentance in your life? [10:51]

3. Consider the theological insight that Jesus had both a human and divine will. How does this understanding affect your perception of His obedience and sacrifice? [08:33]

4. The disciples fell asleep during a critical moment. What are some ways you can stay spiritually awake and attentive to God's presence and work in your life? [23:33]

5. How does the reality of God's wrath, as discussed in the sermon, challenge you to take sin more seriously and appreciate the necessity of Christ's atoning sacrifice? [22:00]

6. Jesus was strengthened by an angel during His prayer. In what ways can you seek and find strength from God during times of personal struggle or temptation? [25:05]

7. Reflect on the significance of Jesus' cry from the cross, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" How does this moment of forsakenness deepen your understanding of the cost of your salvation? [18:23]

Devotional

Day 1: The Tension of Wills
In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus faced a profound internal struggle as He prayed, "Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me; nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done." This moment reveals the tension between His human will and the divine will of the Father, illustrating the mystery of the incarnation and the dual natures of Christ. It challenges us to reflect on our own submission to God's will in our lives. Jesus' prayer is a model of obedience and surrender, showing us that even in moments of deep personal struggle, aligning our will with God's is paramount. [06:36]

Hebrews 5:7-8 (ESV): "In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to Jesus? What would surrendering this area to Him actually look like in terms of daily habits?


Day 2: The Cup of Wrath
The "cup" that Jesus prayed to be removed symbolizes the full measure of God's wrath, a concept that underscores the seriousness of sin and the depth of Christ's sacrificial love. Understanding this helps us appreciate the gravity of Jesus' mission and the salvation He offers. The cup represents the divine justice that was to be poured out on Jesus, highlighting the cost of our redemption and the profound love that drove Him to endure such suffering for our sake. [10:51]

Isaiah 51:17 (ESV): "Wake yourself, wake yourself, stand up, O Jerusalem, you who have drunk from the hand of the Lord the cup of his wrath, who have drunk to the dregs the bowl, the cup of staggering."

Reflection: Consider the weight of sin in your life. How does understanding the concept of the "cup of wrath" change your perspective on the seriousness of sin and the depth of Christ's love for you?


Day 3: Refuting the Monothelite Heresy
The Monothelite heresy, which claimed Christ had only one will, is refuted by the distinction between Jesus' human desire and His submission to the Father's will. This theological insight deepens our understanding of the incarnation and the nature of Christ's obedience. It emphasizes the reality of Jesus' dual natures—fully human and fully divine—and the significance of His willing submission to the Father's plan, even when it meant enduring immense suffering. [08:33]

Philippians 2:6-8 (ESV): "Who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross."

Reflection: How does the understanding of Jesus having both a human and divine will impact your view of His sacrifice and obedience? In what ways can you emulate His obedience in your own life?


Day 4: Spiritual Vigilance
The disciples' inability to stay awake and watch with Jesus serves as a reminder of our own spiritual lethargy and the importance of vigilance in our faith. We are called to be spiritually awake and attentive to God's presence and work in our lives. This passage challenges us to examine our spiritual alertness and to cultivate a life of prayer and watchfulness, ensuring that we do not miss the moments when God is calling us to act or to be present with Him. [23:33]

1 Peter 5:8 (ESV): "Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour."

Reflection: In what areas of your spiritual life do you find yourself becoming complacent or lethargic? What practical steps can you take to become more spiritually vigilant and attentive to God's work in your life?


Day 5: The Reality of God's Wrath
The reality of God's wrath, often overlooked in modern theology, is a central theme in this passage. It challenges us to take sin seriously and to recognize the necessity of Christ's atoning sacrifice for our salvation. Understanding God's wrath helps us appreciate the depth of His justice and mercy, and the incredible gift of grace that we receive through Jesus' sacrifice. It calls us to a deeper awareness of the cost of our redemption and the seriousness with which we should approach our faith. [22:00]

Nahum 1:2-3 (ESV): "The Lord is a jealous and avenging God; the Lord is avenging and wrathful; the Lord takes vengeance on his adversaries and keeps wrath for his enemies. The Lord is slow to anger and great in power, and the Lord will by no means clear the guilty."

Reflection: How does acknowledging the reality of God's wrath influence your understanding of His justice and mercy? In what ways can this understanding deepen your gratitude for Christ's atoning sacrifice?

Quotes

"Again, we have heard this poignant account that Luke gives us of the struggle of our Lord in the Garden of Gethsemane in the final hours of his life. This account is the inspired record of this event. Inspired by God and it is his word of truth. Please receive it as such and be seated." [00:01:29]

"This was a night of drama. A night of intense drama that began innocently enough with the instructions of Jesus to his disciples to prepare and make ready for the celebration of Passover. He already was troubled in his soul. He already was overcome by a profound sense of sorrow, and he said, 'I earnestly desire that one more time, one last time, that I might eat the Passover with you.'" [00:02:43]

"It was a night of instruction where the lengthiest discourse that we find anywhere in sacred Scripture, of the person and work of God, the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity, was given by Jesus. It was also a night of intense prayer. A night when Jesus offered the longest recorded prayer of intercession that he made for his disciples, and for us, in what is called his High Priestly Prayer." [00:04:38]

"In the 7th century in Armenia, there arose a very serious heresy called the Monothelite heresy. I stumbled over the word. I read a transcript of last week's sermon, and the person who was transcribing that sermon, when I talked about the Monothelite heresy, obviously didn't understand my words and recorded the transcript the heresy of monotheism." [00:08:11]

"This particular heresy, the Monothelite heresy was the heresy that taught that in the mystery of the incarnation, in the union between the two natures, the human and the divine, there was only one will. There were two natures, one person, but only one will, a sort of mixture or blend between the divine and the human will." [00:08:25]

"But now, there's tension. There is something that touching his human nature, Jesus didn't want to do. There was a conflict between his desire, and the mandate of his Father. He asked permission to be excused from his mission. 'Father, let this cup pass from me. I don't want to touch it. I don't want to look at it. I don't want to drink it.'" [00:10:29]

"I don't think he took a breath before he said, 'nevertheless, not my will - I've just expressed my will - not my, but your will be done.' Again, I don't think there's a chance that this side of heaven, we're going to have an exhaustive or comprehensive understanding of this passionate agony and struggle, in which Jesus was engaged." [00:11:38]

"It gives us a clue as to the contents of the cup. What was in the cup was the grapes of wrath. The grapes that had been trampled outside of the city and prepared for consumption. Jesus looked at that cup and its content, and in his heart, and in his will, he said, 'No, no, no. Let it pass from me. I don't want anything to do with that horrible cup.'" [00:14:28]

"Beloved, there is nothing more real, nothing more terrifying than the wrath of God, and don't you think for a moment that even Jesus' work on the cross ended the wrath of God forever. The salvation that he won for us is salvation from what? From the wrath that is to come. And it will come. If your life is not hid in Jesus Christ, it will come upon you." [00:22:25]

"Three times, Jesus went over to see his disciples in the middle of this prayer. Every time he went over there, they were sound asleep. It'd been a busy night. They were tired. They were sorrowful. Sometimes sorrow is a weighty drug, a soporific that makes us want to retire to our beds and go to sleep. Jesus didn't say to the disciples, 'Come on please and watch over me.'" [00:23:33]

"Beloved, it was not like no one was watching over Jesus. We're told in this text that at one point in his prayer, while the disciples were asleep, an angel appeared and ministered to him. There's only mention of one angel, but do you think there was only one angel there? Jesus even said, you know at the time of his execution, 'If I want to, I can give the nod, I can say the word, and there's a heavenly host up there.'" [00:24:36]

"They watched him be carried to the tomb, and to be placed there for a while. Until the Father shook his head, 'Get that stone out of there.' They came and rolled the stone away and set him free, because it was impossible for death to hold him or the grapes of wrath to destroy him. The disciples and the angels together said, 'My eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord.'" [00:26:13]

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Transcript
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