At the risk of being labeled an Arian heretic, I like to think about Jesus' human nature and how hard the Passion was for him. I'm not talking about "The Passion of the Christ." I know Jesus' passion was very violent and physically painful (really torture), but what about the mental anguish? He clearly had second thoughts about dying the way he did: "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me." Matthew 26:39. Jesus was not running from the ordeal he would suffer, ("Take this cup away from me, but not what I will but what you will." Mark 14:36), but the Gospels are unified and very clear that he was distressed: "He was in such agony and he prayed so fervently that his sweat became like drops of blood falling on the ground." Luke 22:44. He wished it could be different; he was distressed; he was afraid for his disciples: "Get up and pray you may not undergo the test." Matthew 26:41. Clearly, this could have gone another way. Was he afraid? Did he think there could be a different path before he accepted the Father's plan? My heart breaks that he went through all that anguish for me.
That's the Jesus I think of during Holy Week - the man who was mentally tortured about how his death would go down and the fallout for his disciples. I also think about the same God who "so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life." John 3:16.
Would you watch one hour with Him?
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