Why would a sophisticated man like Jesus ask God to free him of his responsibility?

Question

Matthew 26

39Going 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."

Half-man like a demigod... Is that what you mean?

Answer 1

If you assume that Jesus was put here as an example of what a godly man's life was supposed to look like, then the answer seems obvious. It is OK to have doubts, fears and weaknesses, and it is OK to confess this to God, as long as you also have faith.


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For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

~Hebrews 2:17,18 (NIV)

Answer 2

This was a powerful message that showed Jesus as a man. Jesus Christ fell on his face with the burden he was to carry. However his strength was resolute in his father, and through his father he had the strength to carry on, and the strength to carry on is the very definition of courage.

Answer 3

No man faces death and suffering without reluctance. Jesus is truly God, but he is also fully man.

In this instance, Jesus received a polite "No" from his Father in heaven.

This should be a lesson to all of us.

"Yet not as I will, but as you will."

Answer 4

Jesus, as a man, did not want to die, as every human has some unwillingness to die. But Jesus, as God, knew he had to. So the human side of him basically said "I wish there were some other way". But he acted in obedience to the Father.

Answer 5

Jesus who made Himself in flesh knew the pain and agony He was going to face. If you knew you were about to be beaten with whips that had knives on the tips, spit on, slapped and e.t.c.; would you get somewhat afraid? Not only would I be afraid, but I probably would not have been as humble or able to go ahead with it. So, thank God for Jesus!!!!

Answer 6

Jesus, although he was God in the flesh, He was FLESH and like all humans he had His issues with suffering, hard times, difficult times, struggling, etc. However, He did follow it up with "yet not as I will, but as You will". Meaning He put His trust in God.

Answer 7

Sophisticated? Have you seen the guy's hair?

Answer 8

I thought you were an athiest Nick. Fo sho dude

Answer 9

Ticked is correct here. Jesus is half human and that part of him was scared silly regarding what he was about to be subjected to. Jesus knew deep in his heart that he had to allow himself to be so horribly tortured, abused and then slowly killed in public. Wouldn't you be afraid if you were in his position? Jesus could have at any time avoided this all together, so his asking God, who he happens to be, to spare him the upcoming horror of torture and death, was highly symbolic of his fore knowlege of his fate. It was a moment of not weakness but of streangth. Jesus as a man is as fallable as the next yet he choose to allow people to subject him to all he suffered. He also could have died at anytime, as it was in his power to do so. However, he had to pay the price for all of mankind and that took a lot of suffering. Which is why he said, "It is done", in much relief I can assure you, before he died. The statement, "It is done" was Jesus saying he had finished paying our price and could now go home.

A few posts referred to you as an athiest. If this is true then you don't believe anything about jesus at all, so why would you bother to ask this question? Belief is just that, belief. Belief is a choice, and it is based on faith. Faith is based on choice, not on proof. God does not want His children to only come to him because they have "proof" of his existance, but rather because they choose to believe in him and to love him in spite of a lack of proof.

I wonder why those who choose to not believe feel so much need to try to impose their own choices onto others. Nobody, religious or otherwise have any right to impose their own belief onto another. If you don't believe, that is your choice, and I don't judge you for that choice. We each must make our own way on our journey through life and live it according to our own moral and ethical belief foundation. There are many good people who do not choose to believe in God regardless of His form, and there are many "religious" individuals who are horrid people who use their "beliefs" to excuse nasty behaviors. Imposing ones own belief system onto another is abhorant to me and against my understanding of my God. Any who declare themselves Christain and impose their belief on others is not following the Christian God. God gave us free will and as such each individual is intilttled to make their way on their own. If a person chooses to ask for clarification in the spirit of honest and open communication, with a real desire to understand even if it is not to come to a new belief that is acceptable. However, to use beliefs of others to try to abuse them or ridicule them is mean and rude behavior. If that is your intention with your question I will not answer anything you post in the future. I hope you sincerelly are just wishing an understanding of the Christian religious belief system and are honestly wishing to gain something positive from this question and not taunting or otherwise engaging in hateful or juvinile behavior. If this sounds judgemental then so be it, but it is my opinion rather than a judgement or condemnation against you regardless of how you wish to take it.

I wish you a great day and much success in whatever it is you are seaking.

Answer 10

I like Sunscour's answer. I feel the same way he does