“My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken away from me. Yet not as I will, but as You will.” The stillness of the Mount of Olives was broken by the urgency of the Man, who was so much more than just a man, in prayer. What was this cup? A cup of betrayal and death for the son of God. Why? Was it because of love?
The Man continues to pray with urgency. Sweat like drops of blood from his brow fell staining his cloak. To add to his sorrow of the Man, He sees friends asleep. He wakes them. He urges them to pray.
Soon the clash of armor breaks the peace of the Mount. Judas Iscariot walks forward. The sorrowful man turns to him saying, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?”
His friend betrays him. Why would God let that happen?
The Man turns to the crowd, “Who is it you want?”
“Jesus of Nazareth.”
“I am He.”
No one steps forward.
“Who is it you want?”
“Jesus of Nazareth.”
The Man says, “I told you that I am He.”
Peter struck off the ear of the servant of the high priest. The Man rebukes him and heals the servant.
The Man was bound and led to Pilate. Pilate finds him righteous. He sends him to Herod, who also finds him guiltless.
Those who praised Him as king just a week before, sentenced Him to death. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter. Why could this happen? Was it for love?
The Man is led to Golgotha and is nailed to the cross. He is to die the most shameful death. Why? Was it for love?
“My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?” The cry came from the lips of a Man, forsaken, scourged, jeered at, and betrayed.
He calls for wine. Yet turned away, refusing the pain relieving liquid.
He promises the thief on His left a place in paradise. Why? A thief in paradise? Did the Man love even a thief?
“Into Thy hands I commit my spirit!”
In the unusual darkness of the morning, the Man says, “It is finished.” The Man collapses, dead. The ground quakes and rocks split. People rush away. The curtain in the Holy of Holies is ripped from top to bottom. The Man is dead.
Joseph of Arimathea buries the Man. Then in three days women with spices come to the tomb. The tomb is empty. They spread the news. Two disciples confirm the discovery.
The Man is risen! He has conquered death; all for love.
