The Passion

Matthew 26:38

Jesus said to them, "My soul is deeply grieved, to the point of death; remain here and keep watch with me. And he went a little beyond them, fell on his face and prayed, saying, "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet not as I will, but as you will."

And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping and said to Peter, "So, you could not keep watch with me for one hour? Keep watching and praying that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak."

He went away again a second time and prayed, saying, "My Father, if this cannot pass away unless I drink it, your will be done." Again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. And he left them again, and went away and prayed a third time, saying the same thing once more.

The word "Passion", when used in connection with Jesus means "suffering." We have a God who not only understands our suffering, but also suffers.

"We would all like life to be free from suffering, and our love to be free from pain. But there is no true love without suffering. So the highest love of all, the love of Christ for men, showed unforgettably how deeply he must suffer in order to bring men to himself.

'God was in Christ, reconciling men to himself,' wrote Paul. There compressed in a few highly-charged words, is the heart of the Good News.

We have a God who loves.

That means we have a God who suffers."

From the book, For This Day - J.B. Phillips