In preparation for my most recent overseas mission trip, I made a visit to a medical clinic in Indianapolis to update my vaccinations and learn what other treatments were recommended for those traveling to that part of the world. Upon review, I learned that I needed two shots and it was suggested that I should take a treatment to protect against cholera. The nurse left the exam room and returned with a tray containing the two shots and a small plastic cup filled with a cloudy looking liquid. While I was less than thrilled about getting two shots, I really wasn’t looking forward to consuming whatever was in that cup. I didn’t know what flavor the medicine was, but I was pretty sure it wasn’t grape (it tasted like salt and sadness, for the record). I was well aware that both my mouth and my stomach were about to be extremely unhappy with me. But, I was also certain that whatever discomfort the contents of that cup would cause would be a whole lot better than struggling with the sickness against which it was meant to protect. I needed to man up and take my medicine.
All of the anguish and anxiety Jesus endured that night, to the point of sweating drops of blood, came from the anticipation of consuming a cup filled with medicine we deserved to cure the sickness from which we all suffer.
“Take your medicine” is, or was, a popular figure of speech in English. It was used to describe the need to accept or endure an unpleasant situation or punishment without resistance. The Bible had a similar figure of speech or illustration. It was to accept or drink a cup. Jesus Himself uses this imagery during a late night prayer session just before He was arrested and led off to His brutal execution. It is found in Luke 22:41-44. It reads, “[Jesus] withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond [His disciples], knelt down and prayed, ‘Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.’ An angel from heaven appeared to Him and strengthened Him. And being in anguish, He prayed more earnestly, and His sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.”
When we think of Jesus, we don’t generally picture Him having an epic panic attack in a quiet corner of a garden. But, here it is all the same. Jesus knew exactly what lay before Him. He had told His disciples on numerous occasions that He would be handed over to the Romans and crucified. He had undoubtedly seen several crucifixions throughout His lifetime and was well-aware of the unspeakable agony and excruciating pain endured by those who suffered such a fate. I appreciate the humanity reflected in Jesus’s prayer. To loosely paraphrase, Jesus says, “Dad, if there’s any other option, I’d really rather not do this!” It reminds me of the negotiating we do when it’s time to take our medicine, whether literally or figuratively speaking. Jesus closes out negotiations by humbly accepting the cup presented to Him. What’s most incredible about Christ’s willingness to consume this particular cup is that the medicine wasn’t a cure that He needed. All of the anguish and anxiety Jesus endured that night, to the point of sweating drops of blood, came from the anticipation of consuming a cup filled with medicine we deserved to cure the sickness from which we all suffer.
Through His sacrificial death, Jesus took upon Himself the full measure of God’s wrath to pay the price for our sins. He took the medicine we deserved in order that He might become the cure we needed.
The Bible is quite clear; Jesus’s body was broken and bloodied to make us whole. Jesus graciously and willingly drank the most unpleasant cup to provide the cure for what ails all of creation: SIN. His suffering cleared the way for our salvation. Through His sacrificial death, Jesus took upon Himself the full measure of God’s wrath to pay the price for our sins. He took the medicine we deserved in order that He might become the cure we needed.
As we celebrate all Christ has done this week, may we remember that there is no resurrection without the crucifixion. We get to taste the sweet goodness of God’s grace because Jesus humbly tasted the bitter medicine for our sins. In light of His love, may we seek to live our lives for Him. And, when necessary, let us consume whatever cups we must to serve Him and bring Him all the honor, glory, and praise He is due.
