The Cup


I have always been intrigued by the Agony in the Garden. Jesus, sweating blood, asks His Father, "Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will but yours be done." How He must have suffered, knowing the trials and pain He would undergo. What strength and love He showed in willingly allowing Himself to be brutally beaten and hung on the cross so that we may all be reconciled to God. Jesus says, in Matthew's account, "Do you think that I cannot call upon My Father and He will not provide me at this moment with more than twelve legions of angels? But then how would the scriptures be fulfilled which say that it must come to pass in this way?" (26:53-54). I am thankful He did not do just that. He knew He must drink of this cup, and His Father was not going to take it away from Him, but "to strengthen Him, an angel from Heaven appeared to Him" (Luke 22:43). He who had the strength of God was sent an angel to strengthen Him in His trials.

I used to naively think that if I just follow God closely, trials and sufferings would just melt away. He would take care of all my problems. As I grew older, I learned that clearly this is not true. There are many cups I would like God to take from me, but that is not His Will that my cups of suffering be taken away. He uses my trials to accomplish His Will in my life and the lives especially of those close to me; He uses my crosses to draw me closer to Himself, to teach me how to live, and for my redemption. But, though He will not take our cups, our crosses, away, He does provide us what we need when we look to Him. A Novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus contains this prayer: "Divine Heart of Jesus, we come to You seeking rest in our weariness, patience in our trials, peace in our troubles, strength in our temptations, and light in our darkness" (Apostleship of Prayer pamphlet). Instead of taking our cups, God gives us rest, patience, peace, strength, and light to endure them and promises He will be with us always.

Lord, I pray that I may always look to You for the rest, patience, peace, strength, and light I need to endure my trials and sufferings. I thank You in advance for providing this for me and for walking with me down my own road and as I endure my own crosses. I cannot imagine the pain and suffering You endured on the way to Calvary and on that cross. That You for drinking of that cup and giving me the gift of redemption, opening the way to eternal life with our Heavenly Father. I will never be able to express enough gratitude for that gift You gave in your willing suffering.

Comments

A Bit of the Blarney said…
"Instead of taking our cups, God gives us rest, patience, peace, strength, and light to endure them and promises He will be with us always." This is such a tender way of explaining the compassion of our God! Thank you! Cathy
April 8, 2009 at 2:58 PM
Tracy said…
Excellent post, I have also been very intrigued with the agony!!
April 8, 2009 at 8:56 PM
Katie said…
Beautiful as always. Thank you for reminding us of the "gifts" given along with the cups that have been presented to us!
April 8, 2009 at 9:06 PM
Katie said…
Kim,

Kassia saw the picture there and said, "What is He doing?"

I said, "Well, He's praying to God."

Then she replies in a slightly confused voice, "But, Jesus IS God."

What an amazing girl and what a learning opportunity on the Trinity!

Katie
April 10, 2009 at 4:12 PM
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