Of course as I research this holy Subject, Jesus’ Soul Sufferings or Jesus’ Spiritual Sufferings, I try to read widely on the Matter. And one writer believes those Agonies began at Gethsemane!

John 18:1 … “When Jesus had spoken these words, he went forth with his disciples over the brook Cedron, where was a garden, into the which he entered, and his disciples.”

There Luke informs us … “And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.” Luke 22:44

No pierced hands yet, but certainly a burdened Heart! Jesus knows what he faces! Yet the Bible is clear, our Lord came to die on that Cross!

Luke 12:50 seems to be telling us that Jesus actually anticipated dying for our sins. Pleasing His Father to that extent! “But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!”

Prophetically, in Isaiah 50:8-9 Jesus also says of the Battle He faces at Calvary … “Who will contend with me? let us stand together: who is mine adversary? let him come near to me. Behold, the Lord GOD will help me; who is he that shall condemn me? lo, they all shall wax old as a garment; the moth shall eat them up.” Is this not a challenge, an invitation to the devil? Here Jesus is claiming Victory in advance! (What a Saviour!)

Yet then, how explain we the Pressure Jesus was facing that night in Gethsemane?

I personally believe he was under Satanic attack. That the devil was trying to kill our Lord before He could reach the Cross, before He could shed His precious Blood to forgive sin!

Jesus was near death during that hour! Sweating drops of blood! This is Doctor Luke’s report, mind you. Dangerously near a fatal stroke!

THAT IS WHAT JESUS WAS ASKING HIS FATHER TO REMOVE! THAT CUP, PREMATURE DEATH, BEFORE THE CROSS!

And if I am right (a belief that I am by no means alone in holding) … God the Father answered Jesus’ Prayer. He heard and spared His Son to be crucified the next Day, God’s Will was done!

But just think of the torture, torment, emotional and spiritual Pressure on Jesus at that time, at Gethsemane!

Soul suffering!

Hebrews 5:7 applies beautifully to this situation … “Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared …”

Oh, how He suffered to provide Redemption to us lost souls!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

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