Imagine having been with Jesus in the upper room, when He washed the disciples’ feet and spoke His departing words to them, including the promise of the coming of the Holy Spirit. Imagine being in that room when Jesus introduced the Lord’s Supper, saying, “This is My body” and “This is my blood.” Now, imagine having followed Jesus to the Garden of Gethsemane, where He prayed so fervently and “began to be troubled and deeply distressed” (Mark 14:33). Now, I want you to imagine Jesus coming to you (while you were drifting off to sleep and not showing much concern for the events that were transpiring), and hear Jesus say to you, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death” (Mark 14:34).
What? Jesus, how can Your soul be exceedingly sorrowful? Even unto death? Why, Jesus? Why? “He went a little farther, and fell on the ground, and prayed that if it were possible, the hour might pass from Him” (Mark 14:35). The hour of His death—His voluntary, vicarious, vicious, violent, yet victorious death—was upon Him. Imagine Jesus saying that to you!