Ask just about any Christian what happened in the Garden of Gethsemane the night before Jesus’ crucifixion, and they’ll be quick to assure you that Jesus was begging God for a way to avoid the cross. Perhaps he was terrified about the physical pain of the cross or perhaps it was that he didn’t want to endure separation from the Father; perhaps both. Or perhaps neither. Should we be so sure that’s what was really going on?
Jesus is thus presented in the Garden of Gethsemane as cowering in the face of upcoming death, as begging God to allow him to live, and as unable to do anything about what was being done to him, a helpless rag tossed about by the dogs of hell. He was, in short, a pathetic victim. But anyone who credits the historically standard view of who he actually was must occasionally wonder if that could possibly be the right take on the events in question.*

Let’s start with the Scripture depicting the Garden scene: Matthew 26:39-39:
Then he said to them, “I am deeply grieved, even to death; remain here, and stay awake with me.” And going a little farther, he threw himself on the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet not what I want but what you want.”
Why do we assume that this prayer is Jesus pleading for a way around the cross? It seems to be the simplest explanation, given that he knew that’s what was quickly approaching. Assuming that Jesus was having such a severe anxiety attack that he sweat blood seems to help us feel like he can better relate to our fears and anxieties, our humanity.
Although doesn’t that put God in a bit of a box – that he must actually, as a human, experience something in order to be able to empathize with us?
But the bigger issue I have with the assumption that Jesus got cold feet at the last minute, is that it doesn’t line up with the other things Jesus says in Scripture, his character, nor with an interesting verse in Hebrews that says that his prayer in the garden was answered. Let’s look at those passages:
First, there is the recognized reality that Jesus was with God the Father and the Holy Spirit from the very beginning - John 1:1. And don’t forget all the prophecies in the Old Testament about Jesus as Messiah that he fulfilled…because he, as part of the Trinity… planned it all… And remember, too, that he is Lord of all creation and is actually holding it all together…still:
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; for in him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers – all things have been created through him and for him. He himself is before all things, and in him all things hold together. Colossians 1:15-17
Sometimes – often - I think we make Jesus too human, forgetting he is also the King of the Universe.
Now, let’s consider that Jesus spoke of his coming death and resurrection at least three times as documented in the Gospels. I find it hard to believe that with as much intention as he taught, that he’d want to back out at the last minute. Can you imagine what that would do…to…everything? What would he say to his disciples? Yeah, the Father and I had this fantastic, elaborate plan to rescue humanity…but when it really came down to it…after (thousands??) of years…I just couldn’t pull it off.
Not to mention, he clearly told his followers that he knew exactly what he was doing and was in full control of it all:
“I lay down my life in order to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it up again.” John 10:17-18
And then there’s the part in John 12:27 when he declares,
“Now my soul is troubled. And what should I say – ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it is for this reason that I have come to this hour.”
He literally says he won’t ask God to save him from his coming death.
But also, what about the way he rebuked Peter after Peter attempted to rebuke him?
From that time on, Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and undergo great suffering at the hands of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “God forbid it, Lord! This must never happen to you!” But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; for you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.” Matthew 16: 21-23
Seems a little hypocritical that he would deliver such a stinging rebuke to Peter and then freak out himself…
So, let’s go back to the Garden. After Jesus’ ordeal, pleading with God for the cup to be lifted, he goes out to the garden entrance to meet Judas and the Roman soldiers. After Jesus acknowledges that he is the one they are looking for, Peter takes out his sword and cuts off someone’s ear! And how does Jesus respond?
Jesus ordered Peter, “Put your sword away! Do you really think I will avoid the suffering which my Father has assigned to me?’” John 18:11
Again. Do we think Jesus is the kind of guy that has such a severe anxiety attack that he sweats blood, pleading for God to rescue him from the cross…and then rebukes his beloved disciple for wanting to do the same?
That does not line up with my vision of Jesus.
Lastly, let’s go back to that intriguing verse in Hebrews…
In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Hebrews 5:7
The only documented time in Scripture that Jesus “offered up prayers and supplications with loud cries and tears” is in the Garden of Gethsemane. And this verse says that his prayer was answered. How can that be unless the cup he referred to was not the cross?
We must admit that something else had to be going on. Remember that after Satan tempted Jesus in the wilderness, he left him alone “until an opportune time.” (Luke 4:13) Could it be that the Garden was another opportunity – perhaps even the last opportunity – for Satan to thwart Jesus’ plans? I am comfortable leaving that as an unknown, but there is simply no explanation that can convince me that Jesus tried to back out of the cross at the last moment.
Why do so many cling to this belief that Jesus was asking for another way? We can empathize with his suffering in the Garden – and he with our own suffering – without belittling his brilliant intelligence and courageous bravery in planning, implementing and fulfilling his very own daring rescue of humanity.
This matters so much because Jesus came to teach us a new – and better – way to live! Yet what we believe about Jesus and the life he offers us is tied to how we view him and the life he lived.
Jesus came proclaiming that the kingdom of God was (and is) available, and all who want, can enter and live in it, right now. Life in the kingdom, now, with Jesus as Lord, Savior, Brother, Friend…and Master Teacher results in…
…abiding peace, a life penetrated throughout by love, faith that sees everything in the light of God’s overriding governance for good, hopefulness that stands firm in the most discouraging of circumstances, power to do what is right and withstand the forces of evil. The abundance of life that Jesus said he came to bring.**
This kind of with-God life, where you can be completely satisfied and sustained regardless of the circumstance...is what Jesus is inviting us to, and it IS possible now! And seeing as Jesus most assuredly was living fully in that reality of God’s kingdom, it simply doesn’t make sense that he would panic over the cross.
Yet if we can’t envision that blessed life, because we don’t see Jesus himself living in it, we won’t understand the invitation for us to live in it, as well. And that may well be the greatest tragedy of all time.
For more on the invitation to the good life with God:
My personal experience with it: My Story
REFERENCES:
*excerpt from The Craftiness of Christ, by Dallas Willard.
**The Spirit of the Disciplines, Dallas Willard.
When You Don't Know What to Do (10m video) - not quoted here, but a very helpful look at the brilliance of Jesus; by John Ortberg