Staggering Silence

Two words to consider today: 'stagger' and 'silence.' Matthew records Jesus' cry in the garden like this, "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.'" (Matt. 26:39) Jesus was familiar with the Scriptures and His prayer came from that knowledge. He would have known that Isaiah the cup of God's wrath was the goblet that makes men stagger. (Isa. 57:17). He understood (better than we do) the crushing consequence of sin - our sin. And yet, He still said, "Yet not as I will, but as you will." So that's the first word, 'stagger.' God's response brings us to the second word, 'silence.' Of this, C. J. Mahaney writes:

What Jesus recoils from here is not an anticipation of the physical pain associated with the crucifixion. Rather it's a pain infinitely greater - the agony of being abandoned by his Father.

As one Bible commentary notes, Jesus entered the garden 'to be with teh Father for an interlude before his betrayal, but found Hell rather than Heaven open before him.' Knowing the hour for his death is fast approaching, Jesus has come here in need as never before of his Father's comfort and strength. Instead, hell - utter separation from God - is thrust in his face.

The silence is the result of God's love, the love that made Him give His Son. In this, our Savior's darkest hour...do you recognize His love for you?