Completing the Mission

Completing the Mission

He went on a little farther and fell face down on the ground. He prayed that, if it were possible, the awful hour awaiting him might pass him by. “Abba ,Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will, not mine.” (Mark 14:35 NLT)

Jesus’ prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane reveals, without a shadow of a doubt, that He was on a mission and the completion of that mission was close at hand. This is evidenced by such phrases as “if it were possible,” “the awful hour,” and “might pass him by.” During the entirety of Jesus’ earthly sojourn he had one goal or mission in mind and that was “to seek and save those that were lost.” He established his authority to accomplish this mission by the many miraculous events that took place.

   The final hour has arrived. He is about to be betrayed into the hands of the hate-filled priests to be arrested, tried, and falsely convicted. After the verdict he is thrust into the hands of the brutal soldiers where he is beaten senseless and then executed in cold blood. And why? For what crime? For speaking words of grace and truth.

   Jesus, knowing the extent of the suffering before him, willingly volunteered for this mission. His very words in the garden, “my soul is crushed with grief to the point of death, make me cringe and shed tears of remorse.  How can anyone fault him for the dread and horror that descended on his soul when the moment arrived.

   What did Jesus see when he looked into that awful cup of suffering? The enormity of the wrath of God filling that cup was almost more than even he could bear. The dregs of sin were so repulsive, so vile, so horribly inhuman that even the Son of God cringed at the sight. Can’t you just hear his cry, “Father, please take this cup of suffering from me” (14:35). We must always remember that Jesus was both God and man at the same time. He was a unique person.

   The mission was completed. Salvation was secured. Redemption purchased by the blood of an innocent lamb without spot or blemish. If you are one of the lost sheep that has been found and redeemed, rejoice. If you have never fully trusted in Jesus, do it today.

Prayer: Dear Lord, praise your holy name for seeking me out and rescuing me from sin.