The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum Matthew 26:42

My question is why did Jesus pray this?? I'm looking for an answer because I read about this in a book by Brian McLaren "More Ready Than You Realize". The (erroneous) author gives a story in the book about a guy who comes to him asking him why Jesus had to die? The "answer" is provided to him by his brother, named Peter. Here's part of the story from the book:

My question is I know that this interpretation from Peter is wrong, but I'm not sure why. I do know Jesus told the disciples what he was going to do, so for Peter say Jesus didn't know what he was doing seems like wrong theology. But my question is then why did Jesus pray this prayer then??? I can't come up with a good answer here.

I hope this makes sense. Any help would be appreciated.

(P.S. I finally called my assoc. pastor and am supposed to meet with him tomorrow (if my husband can stay home with the kids). I know he's promoting Brian McLaren with our sr. high kids (I just discovered this last week) and I think he's using the above book I mentioned for the sr. high sunday school class!!. When I discovered this I (begrudingly) got the book to evaluate. I am almost done with this book. It shows me more of where this author is coming from. I've read 3 1/2 of his books now. It's very disturbing to me and if my older son where 7-8 years older I know I could not have him in this class reading this book!!)

Janean,

Jesus did know why He had to die! I think this prayer is to show us His humanity shrinking from the awful judgment that He was going to undergo for OUR sins! He knew He was going to do His Father's will, but it was such a terrible thing to contemplate, that He could hardly bear it.

In His Hands,

Ruth

Ruth or anyone - What scripture would you use to "prove" that Jesus knew WHY he had to die?? The only thing that pops into my mind is Luke 24:44 "He said to them 'This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms." How on earth can one read the Bible and hear Jesus say that he is there in fulfillment of prophecy but not know why?? And this kind of thinking (as I quoted a bit from the book above) denies an omniscient God doesn't it?? One criticism I read on this book commented on this part and he claimed this proved that McLaren and his brother are open theists. I think he may be right.

Like I said in my other post, this is from Brian McLaren's book above. I finally did speak with our assoc. pastor and I even brought up this troubling part from the book with him that I quoted a bit above and he didn't seem to have a problem with McLaren's brothers mis-interpretation. And this right there is a perfect example of this whole emergent/postmodern movement thing going on out there - that pragmatic interpretation within the community is as valid as J.I. Packer or James Boice (this is according to the author). This is why I am so upset with this stuff and want to leave our church. I read to my husband excerpts from this book and he is FINALLY seeing what I see. He has a problem with our assoc. using this book with the youth too. Our associate was very cordial and did listen to me, but doesn't understand he's in error. I gave him some articles of reviews of McLaren and John Eldredge. Our associate really likes John Eldredge too and even went to one of his "Wild At Heart" conferences. He shared with me how this author and conference was very helpful for him personally! While I recognize his sincerity and even his genuine concern for our youth (obviously he wouldn't be a pastor otherwise), it is so frustrating to see this plain ignorance.

I agree with what Ruth stated. Baker NT Commentary (Hendriksen, William, and Simon J. Kistemaker) adds some helpful material here as well (though):

He addresses the Object of his prayer in the most intimate manner, saying, “My Father.” We should not separate vs 39 from 42 (see below). Luke 22:43 relates that there came “an angel from heaven to strengthen him.” This may well be considered an answer to his prayer, for though the cup was not taken away, he was given strength to take it to his mouth and drink it until it was empty. The same evangelist in the next verse also states that “being in agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down upon the ground.”

Jesus now prays that it may be spared him, that is, that it may pass him by. The completely sinless, in fact exemplary nature of the prayer appears from the fact that the main clause “Let this cup be spared me,” is introduced by the subordinate clause, “if it is possible,” which, in turn, is elucidated by the words, “nevertheless, not as I will but as thou wilt.” Jesus is submitting himself entirely to the will of his Father.

Never shall we, who do not even know how our own soul and body interact, be able to grasp how the human nature of Christ, in these solemn moments, related itself toward the divine, or vice versa. To the intense suffering, experienced in Christ’s human nature, was given infinite value by means of the union of this human to the divine nature, within the second person of the Holy Trinity. Therefore his suffering, from first to last, was all-sufficient, that is, sufficient for the sin of the whole world.

Again Jesus retires to the place of solitude. From his sleepy disciples he could expect no help. Again he prays. Though both prayers—the one of verse 39 and that of verse 42—are the same in essence, there is a difference in emphasis. The main clause is no longer, “Let this cup be spared me,” but “Thy will be done,” a petition identical in wording and meaning with the one Jesus had himself taught his disciples (Matt. 6:10b). What is happening, then, is that by his own very painful and distressing experience Jesus is “learning” what it means to be obedient, and is revealing this obedience in a progressively glorious manner.

There is a host of them, but Isaiah 53 comes to mind real fast. Of course, you can let Jesus speak in "red letters" <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/giggle.gif" alt="" /> for himself (John 3:16, etc.),


"Without shedding of blood is no remission."—Hebrews 9:22

Ok, book reviews Brian Mclearn's TULIP and John Eldredge's Wild At Heart.