Many today are understandably troubled over the idea of God tormenting people in fiery judgment for their sins. But are you aware that God demonstrated His love for us all that He took our torment so that we wouldn’t have to experience it (Romans 5:8)? The Bible clearly teaches us that (John 3:16). But in today’s text, we go deeper and discover how Jesus was tormented over the idea of bearing our sin and judgment and as a result being separated from His Father for the first and only time in all history. Think about it. Most people are tormented over the idea of giving up their sin and turning to holiness. But not so with Jesus. He was tormented over the thought of giving up holy fellowship with God the Father and taking on sin.
Today’s Text
Luke 22:39–46 (NKJV) 39 Coming out, He went to the Mount of Olives, as He was accustomed, and His disciples also followed Him. 40 When He came to the place, He said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.” 41 And He was withdrawn from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and prayed, 42 saying, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.” 43 Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him. 44 And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.45 When He rose up from prayer, and had come to His disciples, He found them sleeping from sorrow. 46 Then He said to them, “Why do you sleep? Rise and pray, lest you enter into temptation.”
Don’t miss the hidden mystery revealed in verse 42. If there was any other way to save us from our sins this was the Father’s opportunity to employ that way. But there was no other way. The way to salvation cannot be through good works, or religious service or simply being nice. If that were possible then the Father would not have sent His Son to the cross.
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6, NKJV)
Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”” (Acts 4:12, NKJV)
“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” (Titus 3:5–7, NKJV)
Pastor Mike