278. LUK 22:44. THE AGONY OF CHRIST

Luk_22:44. The Agony of Christ

"And being in agony, he prayed more earnestly."’97Luk_22:44.

Our text is connected with one of the most interesting and affecting events in the history of our world. It is so whether we contemplate the person of the sufferer; the cause of his anguish; the extent of his sorrows; or the great ends to be effected by it.

Let us, then, consider,

I. The Person of the illustrious Sufferer.

He was,

1. The dignified essential Son of God.

"The brightness of the Father’s glory," &c. "God over all, blessed," &c. Yet as the Godhead could not suffer, he was,

2. Truly and properly the Son of Man.

Had our nature, body and soul. Made in all things like unto us, except as to sin. Of the seed of Abraham, of the line of David. The child born, the son given. The fruit of the virgin’s womb. Immanuel, God in our nature; God with us.

Consider,

II. The Agony which he endured.

Now here let us notice,

1. The agony itself.

The text is the only place where the term occurs. The word signifies vehement anguish, as if the whole heart were wrung with excruciating torture. Christ’s agony included,

(1) Deep, intense mental suffering. The evangelist says, "He began to be sorrowful." For although he was a man of sorrows, yet all his previous griefs were as nothing with what he now fell, were as drops to the swelling billows which now went over his head. He was now drink ing the cup of bitterness, without any ad mixture of joy or consolation

It included,

(2) Overwhelming amazement and terror. Mark says, that "he began to be sore amazed." Seized with dreadful terror and consternation. The claims of justice were now presented before his eyes. The hour of darkness was coming upon him. He was now entering upon the crimsoned wine-press alone, and was unbaring his tender breast to receive the "sword which was now called to awake and smite the shepherd," the man that was Jehovah’s fellow.

Notice,

2. The cause of Christ’s agony.

It arose,

(1) From the pressure of a world’s guilt upon him. Although he was spotless and without sin, yet by imputation, the sins of a world rested upon him. He bore our iniquities. The whole desert of man’s guilt was upon him. The crimes of the world pressed his sacred spirit. He had to bear all, to atone for all. Hence under the inconceivable weight, "He was in an agony," &c.

(2) From the attacks of the powers of darkness. This was emphatically the hour of darkness. Now the hellish hosts rushed to the momentous conflict, and endeavored to overpower the captain of our salvation. None can tell what hard temptations they might suggest, what hellish influence they might exert. Now was the hotness of the combat, the fierceness of the struggle.

It arose,

(3) From the hiding of the divine countenance. Sin excluded man from the favor of God. Jesus was therefore called to feel the bitterness of the hiding of God’s face. It is probable that now the spiritual darkness commenced, and continued until he expired upon the cross. Isa_53:10

Observe,

3. The effects of the agony.

He fell to the ground, overwhelmed, prostrated, and sweat, as it were, great drops of blood. How intensely keen must have been his sorrow! how inexplicably deep his sufferings!

Notice,

III. The Prayer which he offered.

"He prayed more earnestly."

Observe,

1. The matter of his prayer.

It was for the removal of the cup; ver. 42. As man, he had a natural aversion to pain and suffering.

2. The spirit of his prayer, Was that of holy submission, devout resignation. "If it be possible," &c. He called God his Father, and reposed all entirely with him.

3. The manner of his prayer.

He was alone. He kneeled. He lay prostrate on the ground. Stretched upon the cold and clammy earth.

4. The intensity of his prayer.

He prayed "more earnestly." His whole soul was engaged. He poured out his heart. More earnestly than he had ever prayed. With increasing fervor. With more powerful importunity.

5. The success of his prayer.

For the apostle reminds us that he was heard, and (as the passage ought to be rendered) was delivered from that fear. Heb_5:7. The cup was not removed. But he was strengthened. Encouraged. Fortified for the attack. And arose, and finished the work of sorrow, endured the cross, and despised the shame; and stayed not, till the powers of hell were conquered, and the world redeemed.

Application

1. Learn the amazing evil of sin, as exhibited in the agony of Jesus.

2. Learn the expensiveness of our redemption. Redeemed by the precious blood of Christ.

3. The sympathy of Christ. Heb_4:15.

4. The necessity of resignation to the will of God.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS