My Favorite Bible Verse

Mark 14:36
"Abba," he said, "everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me.
Yet not what I will, but what you will."

Luke 22:42
"Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done."

Matthew 26:39
Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed.
"My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will."

It is always imperative to read any Bible verse in context. It usually is more helpful if you read the whole chapter, let alone the whole book of that section of the Bible. Even going further, it is helpful to read from a “Study Bible” that will provide historical facts for you with background that may be necessary to fully grasp what is being written. Once you have a clearer understanding of what you have read, it is also a good idea to discuss it with fellow Christians in perhaps a Bible Study group or just close friends. Yes, and even your spouse is an excellent idea. Plus it helps strengthen the bond in a marriage. Okay, let us look at what Mark 14:36 is all about.

What we have here is a real insight to Jesus' humanity. This is the quintessential evidence of Jesus having the same human qualities as you and me. Because of this passage, why have a psychological insight into the deep thoughts of Jesus. Essentially, in modern English Jesus is saying something along these lines: "Dad, I am so scared. I don't want to through the horrible suffering on the cross. I don't want to be flogged, beaten, and spit on. People are going to reject me and then put nails through my hands and feet and nail me to a cross. If there is any other way, please, let me do something else. But as always, I want to do what is Your will and not my own. I will do what You ultimately want me to do.

Jesus was going through tremendous psychological and emotional pain before he was to be tried and then crucified. Luke describes Jesus bleeding from the forehead, which is termed today as hemostasis. It can occur to a person under extreme stress, though it is uncommon. Just that alone shows what kind of stress Jesus was in. He was scared beyond comprehension. Pretend you are in Jesus' shoes. Let's say tonight you will know you are going to be flogged and crucified the next day. How are you feeling now?

Because of this passage, it makes me understand why I owe my life to be dedicated to him. Jesus lived a perfectly moral life and still, he made The sacrifice to the world all out of love. This understanding of Jesus let's me believe in him. Not because your parents told you should, or because church says so, but because you learn about who Jesus really was just by opening your Bible. That is why being a Christian is not about "religion," but of a personal relationship that Jesus provides for us with God.