Jesus Afraid?

[Webers_Home]

.
• Matt 26:42 . . He went away a second time and prayed: My Father, if it is
not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be
done.

Jesus must've been really dreading the ordeal that he was facing because he
prayed like that three times.

During the incident, an angel showed up.

• Luke 22:43 . . Now an angel from heaven appeared to him, strengthening
Him.

I've been curious for some time now to know exactly what that angel did to
strengthen Jesus. Did it bring him some water, or a bite of high energy food?
Possibly.

This next verse gave me a hint.

• Luke 22:44 . . And being in agony, he was praying very fervently; and his
sweat became like drops of blood, falling down upon the ground.

The Greek word translated "agony" basically refers not to pain, but to
struggle.

Well; I may be wrong about this but I suspect Jesus was right on the edge of
panic, and thinking seriously about bolting for the door-- so to speak --when
his Father sent that angel to calm him down because oftentimes when
people are in a high state of anxiety; they can't think straight. (cf. Matt
4:11)
_

 

[Lambano]

To demonstrate the human virtue of courage, you have to be genuinely afraid. And then you do what needs to be done in spite of your fears. Jesus not only was sinless, but He also had that which is considered virtuous in humanity. The Bible shows Jesus was genuinely afraid - and He had the courage to obediently go to the cross anyway.

 

[stunnedbygrace]

Good posts there.

 

[Berserk]

.
• Matt 26:42 . . He went away a second time and prayed: My Father, if it is
not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be
done.

• Luke 22:44 . . And being in agony, he was praying very fervently; and his
sweat became like drops of blood, falling down upon the ground.

The Greek word translated "agony" basically refers not to pain, but to
struggle. Well; I may be wrong about this but I suspect Jesus was right on the edge of
panic, and thinking seriously about bolting for the door-- so to speak --when
his Father sent that angel to calm him down because oftentimes when
people are in a high state of anxiety; they can't think straight. (cf. Matt
4:11)

More than that, before He ultimately surrenders to His mission fate, He pleads for God to spare Him from suffering:
"Abba Father, for you all things are possible.; remove this cup from me...(Mark 14:36)!"
Being fully human, Jesus experiences the same range of emotions that we do (Hebrews 4:15). A thread on the full range of Jesus' emotions (e. g. anger, sorrow, anxiety, etc.) might prove interesting. Christians talk a lot about His teaching, character, and example, but not much about His personality and emotional life as opposed to His character.

 

[quietthinker]

I've been curious for some time now to know exactly what that angel did to
strengthen Jesus.

He revived him. I think we underestimate the trauma required to sweat blood.....psychological trauma.
The disciples were obviously oblivious to what was going on.

Jesus giving his life and the way he gave it needed to be public otherwise he could have just dropped off the perch privately.

 

[Raccoon1010]

I don't think Jesus was afraid. I think he had perfect love. 1 John 4:18

 

[Berserk]

I don't think Jesus was afraid. I think he had perfect love. 1 John 4:18

Then why did Jesus try to get out of His mission fate? John says, "perfect love casts out fear;" he doesn't say perfect love prevents fear. Jesus ultimately obeyed God. But His obedience didn't come without resistance: "He had to learn obedience through the things He suffered (Hebrews 5:8)."

 

[Nancy]

.
• Matt 26:42 . . He went away a second time and prayed: My Father, if it is
not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be
done.

Jesus must've been really dreading the ordeal that he was facing because he
prayed like that three times.

During the incident, an angel showed up.

• Luke 22:43 . . Now an angel from heaven appeared to him, strengthening
Him.

I've been curious for some time now to know exactly what that angel did to
strengthen Jesus. Did it bring him some water, or a bite of high energy food?
Possibly.

This next verse gave me a hint.

• Luke 22:44 . . And being in agony, he was praying very fervently; and his
sweat became like drops of blood, falling down upon the ground.

The Greek word translated "agony" basically refers not to pain, but to
struggle.

Well; I may be wrong about this but I suspect Jesus was right on the edge of
panic, and thinking seriously about bolting for the door-- so to speak --when
his Father sent that angel to calm him down because oftentimes when
people are in a high state of anxiety; they can't think straight. (cf. Matt
4:11)
_

"I suspect Jesus was right on the edge of
panic, and thinking seriously about bolting for the door-- so to speak --when
his Father sent that angel to calm him down because oftentimes when
people are in a high state of anxiety; they can't think straight."

Hello Webers,
The same thought used to make me wonder exactly "how" Jesus was strengthened by the angel. Same with the ones in Matt. 4:11

I agree with you that, Jesus was so close to bolting... the flee instinct can be strong. But whatever the angel did, or said to Him, He realized His Father's will is always best...?

 

[Nancy]

I don't think Jesus was afraid. I think he had perfect love. 1 John 4:18

But, He was tempted in all ways we are. Maybe that is something the angel told or reminded Him of? That "perfect love casts out all fear"

 

[Webers_Home]

.
I sincerely believe that the WORD of John 1:1-3 and John 1:14 came into
the world as an ordinary man rather than a divine man because only by
being ordinary himself could he ever truly relate to the lives of ordinary
people.

• Heb 4:15 . . This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he
faced all of the same trials we do.

• Isa 53:3 . . A man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief:

Rainy day people always seem to know when it's time to call.
Rainy day people don't talk, they just listen till they've heard it all.
Rainy day lovers don't lie when they tell 'ya they've been down like you.
Rainy day people don't mind if you're cryin' a tear or two.
(Gordon Lightfoot, 1975)
_

 

[BloodBought 1953]

The Biblical version of these events would be like this—- “ Jesus despised the shame of the Cross, yet went to the Cross because of the reward held out for Him...” The “ Rewards” would include saving all of mankind if Lost Sinners would simply “ come to Him” and earning the right to be worshipped throughout Eternity....

 

[Webers_Home]

.
I seriously doubt that fear per se is either sinful or a lack of faith. It's how people cope
with their fear that determines its spiritual value.

• Phil 4:6-7 . . Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what
you need, and thank him for all he has done. If you do this, you will experience God's
peace

I think it's safe to say that Jesus put those instructions into practice during his ordeal in
the garden. For sure we know he prayed about his anxiety at least three times.
_

 

[Raccoon1010]

But, He was tempted in all ways we are. Maybe that is something the angel told or reminded Him of? That "perfect love casts out all fear"

Maybe. But I just don't think Jesus was afraid.

 

[quietthinker]

Maybe. But I just don't think Jesus was afraid.

he was afraid all right....just listen to his prayer!

 

[Raccoon1010]

he was afraid all right....just listen to his prayer!

His prayer doesn't say he was afraid. It only implies that he wanted a different way.

 

[Webers_Home]

.
• 1John 4:18 . . There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear,
because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made
perfect in love.

That verse is sometimes utilized to prove that seeing as how Jesus was a
sinless man, therefore he was fearless. But that passage has nothing to do
with ordinary fear; it's about fear related to one's future existence in the
afterlife.

• 1John 4:16-18 . . God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God
in him. In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have
confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him.

There are denominations-- e.g. Roman Catholic and Seventh Day Adventist
--whose adherents are unsure of their future in the afterlife. They're hoping
for the best whilst in the backs of their minds dreading the worst; which
indicates to me that their association with God is not on the best of terms.
_

 

[Pierac]

.
• Matt 26:42 . . He went away a second time and prayed: My Father, if it is
not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be
done.

Jesus must've been really dreading the ordeal that he was facing because he
prayed like that three times.

During the incident, an angel showed up.

• Luke 22:43 . . Now an angel from heaven appeared to him, strengthening
Him.

I've been curious for some time now to know exactly what that angel did to
strengthen Jesus. Did it bring him some water, or a bite of high energy food?
Possibly.

This next verse gave me a hint.

• Luke 22:44 . . And being in agony, he was praying very fervently; and his
sweat became like drops of blood, falling down upon the ground.

The Greek word translated "agony" basically refers not to pain, but to
struggle.

Well; I may be wrong about this but I suspect Jesus was right on the edge of
panic, and thinking seriously about bolting for the door-- so to speak --when
his Father sent that angel to calm him down because oftentimes when
people are in a high state of anxiety; they can't think straight. (cf. Matt
4:11)
_

I believe the key to this passage is here...

Mat 26:39 And He went a little beyond them, and 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."

Mat 6:9 "Pray, then, in this way: 'Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. 10 'Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven.

Jesus remained obedient unto death. His statement is for all of us to follow... yet not as I will, but as You will...

 

[Pearl]

I don't think Jesus was afraid. I think he had perfect love. 1 John 4:18

He did have perfect love but he was human, why did he sweat blood if he wasn't afraid, why did he want that particular 'cup' taken from him and why did he want his friends around for support? He was afraid because he knew what was to come.

 

[Jim B]

I don't think Jesus was afraid. I think he had perfect love. 1 John 4:18

He was afraid. There is absolutely no doubt that, aware of His coming agony, He was terrified of the ordeal He was about to face.

 

[Raccoon1010]

He did have perfect love but he was human, why did he sweat blood if he wasn't afraid, why did he want that particular 'cup' taken from him and why did he want his friends around for support? He was afraid because he knew what was to come.

He was afraid. There is absolutely no doubt that, aware of His coming agony, He was terrified of the ordeal He was about to face.

Sorry guys I'm not buying this. Jesus was not afraid, nor does the bible say he was afraid. It says he was sorrowful unto death. Matthew 26:38 Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”

Sorrow isn't fear. Now watch who was afraid:

Matthew 26:

33 Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended.

34 Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.