Read: Mark 14:32–52

For younger children, consider reading, “A Dark Night in the Garden” in The Jesus Storybook Bible (pages 294–301).

Reflect

In the garden, Jesus experienced intense sorrow, immense emotional pain. His grief drives him to his Father in prayer. His main request is that if it is possible the Father would take away the cup he is about to drink. What is this cup? The Old Testament helps us here. We read in Isaiah 51:17 and other places about “the cup of God’s wrath” that he pours out upon the wicked. That’s the cup Jesus must drink. He will experience the torment of God’s wrath, the pain of relational distance from his Father. He will experience his Father’s frown so that we might know the Father’s smile. This is what Jesus endured for you. There was no other way.

Reflection Questions:

1. What do these verses teach us about Jesus?

2. What do they teach us about our response to Jesus?

Listen to: “See the Destined Day Arise” (Kenwood Music)

Pray

Jesus, our Lord, you were rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. You have borne our griefs and carried our sorrows. You were pierced for our sins, crushed for our iniquities. Words cannot capture the praise that is due to you. But we humbly thank you and give you all our allegiance and faith. Fill us with your Spirit today that we might walk in the newness of life you purchased for us when you drained the cup of your Father’s wrath for us. Amen. (Isa 53:3-6).