The Cup – A Poem
The other day I started reading a book called Radical by David Platt. My pastor recommended it and so far I love it, though it is challenging me. Perhaps that is why I like it. When I’m done with it I will post a book review, but for today I am posting a poem that was inspired by one of the earlier chapters in the book.
Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”
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.” Matthew 26:36-39 (NIV).
As you read the poem, it may seem odd that I’ve posted on such an agonizing subject on Thankful Thursday. But when you get to the end you will see what I am thankful for today.
The Cup
The cup of
the Father’s wrath
poured out on You
as on the cross You hung,
though the one who
deserved it was me
The cup
You did dread
with drops of sweat
You prayed and bled
in anguish in the garden
of Gethsemane
Not only the wrath
for my own sin
but the sin of
the whole world,
of every sinner
who ever lived
I could never bear
my own portion
of the Father’s wrath.
You bore it all
and I will be
eternally grateful
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This is wonderful, awesome–thanks, Linda. God bless you!!
Caddo, It is our Lord who is wonderful and awesome! I just write what He inspires. Peace, Linda
Much is spoken of the physical pain of crucifixion. There is no doubt of the agony that Christ endured physically, but I believe the greatest agony of all was spiritual.
How could the sinless, perfect, Son of God, bear to become sin?
Separated from His Father for the first time in all eternity, He accepted the ‘cup of wrath’ as the Father poured our His wrath on MY sin in Him. Because of Him I no longer face the wrath of God, but am ‘accepted’.
Thankful? Yes, and so much more . . .
What an amazing God!
I do think people tend to focus on the physical agony of the cross, but I do not believe that is the cup Jesus sought to avoid (if only it was the Father’s will). It was that separation – which happened only because the Father could not look upon such great sin – that caused Jesus to cry out “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?” All so you and I would never be forsaken. What an amazing God, indeed! Peace, Linda
I would love to hear your review of this book. It might be something I will want to check out.
Blessings-
April, I think you would like this book. I will post a review, though it may be a few weeks coming. Peace, Linda
sounds great! Please keep us in your prayers tonight and all through the day tomorrow. Between 2 and 6 PM a series of strong storms are to come our way. The National Weather Service is saying they will be explosive and will give little warning time.
Also, keep my husband, Jim and I in prayer. We have been battling an upper respiratory infection all week. We need to get better. We leave on a big trip with our son and his wife a week from tomorrow.
I continue to pray for you and ask God’s blessings upon you.
Blessings,
April