If It Be Possible

What was not possible unless Jesus drank from “the cup of suffering [The Cross]”? He appeared to negotiate with God for another way to provide salvation: “Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me” [Luke 22:42]. Jesus had just finished supper with His disciples including the Passover and the breaking of bread which He symbolized as His body [Luke 22:19]. He was clearly talking about His coming death.

Perhaps, though, the translation “if you are willing” requires explanation. “If you are willing” might better read “If you choose or purpose or counsel” to remove this cup from me …. And then His words fell off as if He paused to reconsider His prayer. It is not uncommon to see this when the sentence is logically leading somewhere the speaker does not want to go or does not need to go. In the language of the Old Testament it is used rhetorically in questions expecting a “No.” Answer. It is sometimes, though rarely, used in wishing or expressing strong desire.

It is also not unusual to see the rest of a sentence starting with “if” missing. It is as if in mid sentence Jesus changed His thought and conceded or surrendered to whatever was already decided before the world was even created [1 Peter 1:20; Revelation 13:8]. Jesus seem to correct Himself: “nevertheless not my will,… be done.” He knew what the Father knew that this “cup” was the only way to provide for our salvation.

My argument is prima facie but this is, perhaps, the only scripture that declares without equivocation that Jesus’ crucifixion was the only way through to our salvation. Although this truth is shared in a number of other verses in our Bible, that He would die for sin [1 Corinthians 5:7]; that He would pay a ransom to redeem us from sin [Mark 10:45]; that, indeed there was no other way to God except through Christ [John 14:6]; or that there is no other name that saves [Acts 4:12], Jesus’ Garden prayer in His agony adds the distinct and emphatic notation that there was no alternative—His crucifixion was the sole path for us to reconciliation with God.

Hebrews 9:12 and 22 agreeably notes what Jesus’ crucifixion provided “by his own blood … having obtained eternal redemption [concluding] without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness.” But it came up short in declaring that God did not consider another plan for our salvation—because there was no other to be considered!

Interestingly also, the writer limited the provision of Jesus’ death to “forgiveness” although it was far more: propitious, expiatory, conciliatory, and redemptive. Some argue that His death might not have been necessary only to “forgive” sin. We forgive one another without the need for sacrifice. But this argument has no teeth because Jesus’ death was a lot more! As Paul taught: “He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” [2 Corinthians 5:21 NKJV]. Forgiveness is a necessary aspect of reconciliation, though the reverse may not be true. I may forgive someone for hurting me but not want to restore them to friendship for a number of reasons. Perhaps, they have not changed? But if I am reconciled with them, there is no possible sense in which I have not forgiven them. Calvary was a lot more that mere forgiveness. The writer to the Hebrews spoke of forgiveness because that was the understanding behind the sin and trespass offerings

When the question is inevitably raised: Is it not possible to find another way to save mankind, we only need listen to Jesus’ agony in the Garden to learn, “No, there is no other way!”

And now, we know!