What was Jesus referring to when He prayed, “take this cup away” in the garden of Gethsemane?

About Jesus, All Questions

What was Jesus referring to when He prayed, “take this cup away” in the garden of Gethsemane?

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Jesus,   All Questions

Last Updated

Jan 10, 2025

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Luke 22:42 (NKJV)

saying, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.”

The ‘cup’ Jesus refers to is a powerful biblical metaphor, often symbolizing divine wrath and judgment. In the Old Testament, this imagery frequently represented the suffering and punishment due to sin.

Jesus’ reference to the ‘cup’ signified His impending experience of God’s wrath as He took on the sins of  humanity.

However, when Jesus prayed this prayer, there was more to the meaning of the ‘cup’ than just death. It wasn’t simply the physical pain of the cross or the scourging and humiliation either. It was not the dreadful thirst, the torture of having nails driven through His body, or even the humiliation of being spat upon or beaten.

All of those things combined were not the reason He prayed. As a matter of fact, all the things mentioned above were exactly what Christ Himself had said not to fear.

Luke 12:4 (NKJV)

“And I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.

What Christ dreaded the most about the cross was the divine outpouring of wrath and judgement that He would have to endure from the Holy Father.

There was not a moment when Christ trembled in fear for the earthly pain of the cross or for the pain men could inflict on Him.

Nevertheless, He was consumed with the knowledge that the fullness of divine wrath would fall upon Him as He bore the sins of many.

Hebrews 9:28 (NKJV)

so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.

The alien experience.

God’s eternal Son, Jesus, the second member of the Holy Trinity, holy, righteous, living eternally in perfect loving union with the Father and the Spirit, had never known sin.

And here He was, standing on the brink of bearing the Father’s fury for the sins of all people who would ever believe throughout human history.

It was an experience alien to the eternal nature of God. In fact, we should be shocked if He didn’t say “take this cup away from Me” this because how could a holy, perfect, and righteous Son  blindly walk into becoming a sin-bearer without some level of protest?

There are many scholars who have not been able to grasp the mysterious way in which God, the Father, turned His back on His Son and unleashed the full force of divine fury against sin on Him.

However, this leads us to another question.

If Jesus fully knew that there was no way that the cup would pass from Him, why did He even pray in the first place?

Yes, the plan of salvation was determined by God long before the world was even created. And in keeping with that eternal plan, God the Son agreed to become a man and die to pay the penalty for sin.

So definitely, Jesus knew that the cup of death and separation from the Father would not pass from Him. But His prayer was an honest expression of His human emotions. Therefore, Christ’s motivation for His prayer is not from a sinful weakness but normal human infirmity (similar to other incidents recorded of His hunger, thirst, or fatigue).

Interestingly, Jesus prayed the same prayer a second time in verse 42.

Matthew 26:42 (NKJV)

Again, a second time, He went away and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if this cup cannot pass away from Me unless I drink it, Your will be done.”

Here we see that as the intensity of the agony increases, so does Jesus’ determination to do the will of His Father.

Christ was not hoping that He would be able to escape the cross, but rather He affirmed His determination to do the will of the Father.

This is a good application and an example for us to increase in our intensity to approach God when our agony increases.

Christ was not hoping that He would be able to escape the cross, but rather He affirmed His determination to do the will of the Father.

Where did Jesus go between His death and resurrection?

About Jesus, All Questions

Where did Jesus go between His death and resurrection?

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Jesus,   All Questions

Last Updated

Jan 8, 2025

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We know that Jesus died on a Friday and resurrected on a Sunday, but what happened on Saturday? What occurred between His death and resurrection?

One of the prominent historical writings from the fourth century is the Apostles’ Creed, which is a summary of the early Church’s beliefs. It states:

“I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; He descended to hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended to heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty. From there He will come to judge the living and the dead.”

The creed mentions that Jesus ‘descended to hell.’ The scriptural reference for this is taken from the book of Ephesians:

Ephesians 4:8-10 (KJV): “8 Wherefore He saith, when he ascended up on high, He led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. 9 (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? 10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)”

Since we have established the background from where this question arises, we will look at a set of common arguments made by scholars regarding this.

Argument #1 – Translation and Meaning of “Descended”

Some scholars suggest that the early writers of the Apostles’ Creed might have misunderstood the phrase “he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?” The original intention of the verse might have meant that Jesus came down to earth to demonstrate His love for us.

Some interpret “the lower parts of the earth” as a reference to the grave rather than Hell itself. They argue that even a woman’s womb is described as “lowest parts of the earth” (Psalm 139:15).

Therefore, the phrase could simply mean caves, graves, or enclosures on the earth, as opposed to higher parts, like mountains. Additionally, hell is more accurately described as “under the earth” (Philippians 2:10).

Argument #2 – Historical and Creedal Context

Some scholars argue that the phrase “the lower parts of the earth” was not part of the earliest versions of the Apostles’ Creed and was added in the 4th century. Unlike the Bible, the creed is not divinely inspired but a human declaration of faith. Historically, the clause about the descent was intended to convey that Jesus truly experienced death as all humans do. While His body remained in the grave, His soul went to the realm of the dead, referred to as Sheol or Hades

Argument #3 – Jesus Went to Heaven

Some scholars claim that Jesus went directly to heaven to be with the Father. This is supported by Jesus’ statement to the criminal on the cross: “Today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43). A few verses later, Jesus adds, “Father, into Your Hands I commit My spirit” (Luke 23:46), affirming His spirit was in heaven.

Argument #4 – Proclamation to the Spirits

Some scholars suggest that Jesus went to preach to the souls imprisoned in hell.

1 Peter 3:18-20 states: “For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison; Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.”

There are two interpretations of this passage. Some argue that Jesus gave an opportunity for those in hell to hear the gospel and be saved. Others argue that Jesus did not go to offer salvation but to proclaim His victory over death and declare His triumph as the Messiah.

In conclusion, regardless of which of the four arguments you may side with we should not deviate from the fact that the work of Christ was finished on the cross. Jesus endured the full wrath of God on the cross, finishing His atoning work there (John 19:30).

Even if we look at the Reformed perspective they generally hold that Jesus’ descent refers to His experiencing the fullness of death, including separation from the Father, which He expressed on the cross (Matthew 27:46).  His work of redemption was completed on the cross, and His proclamation to the spirits was a declaration of victory, not a continuation of suffering or a second opportunity for salvation.

regardless of which of the four arguments you may side with we should not deviate from the fact that the work of Christ was finished on the cross.

How can I know if I am one of the elect?

All Questions, Salvation

How would I know if I am one of the elect?

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Salvation,   All Questions

Last Updated

Feb 7, 2025

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Chosen by God from eternity past

The Bible teaches that each believer was elected or chosen by God from the beginning to be saved (2 Thess. 2:13), with the promise that they would be among the ‘elect’ gathered to God on the final day (Matt. 24:31).

2 Thessalonians 2:13 (NKJV)

But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth

Matthew 24:31 (NKJV)

And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

Am I one of the elect?

Naturally, on reading verses on God’s election, believers are often led to question whether they are one of God’s elect.

John 6:44 (NKJV)

No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day.

In the above verse, Jesus described the one (the believer) the Father gives to the Son as none other than the one (believer) who comes to Him. This might sound confusing, but here is a simple breakdown;  

From God’s view – we are given to the Son by His sovereign decree and purpose. 

From Human’s view – we come to Christ through faith (given by the Father), believing in the Son’s redemptive work on the cross. 

The wonderful promise – is that Christ would never reject anyone who comes (sincerely and submissively) as a love gift from the Father. 

Divine sovereignty and human responsibility

Only those given to the Son by the Father will come to Him (John 6:44). Yet, all who are thirsty may come, and anyone who wishes to take the water of life will be given it freely. 

Revelation 22:17 (NKJV)

And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.

Though these may seem impossible to harmonize, there is no conflict between those two truths in the infinite mind of God. It is God who saves yet also gives the faith necessary for believing.

Deuteronomy 29:29 (NKJV)

The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.

Evangelism is still important

Most importantly, we should note that even though God is sovereign in salvation, it does not negate the believer’s responsibility to evangelize the lost.

(Matt. 24:14; 26:13; 28:19; Mark 13:10; cf. Acts 8:25, 40; 14:7, 15, 21; 16:10; Rom. 1:15; 15:19–20; 1 Cor. 1:17; 9:16, 18; 15:1; 2 Cor. 10:16; 11:7; Gal. 1:8–9, 11; 2:2; Phil. 4:15; 1 Peter 1:12).

We should obediently spread the Gospel of Christ, knowing that the Son would never reject any part of the Father’s gift to Him.

Jesus saves all who come to Him

The will of the Father is that Jesus saves all that the Father has given Him.

Jesus came to earth for one purpose only, to do the will of the Father who sent Him (John 6:38, 4:34, 5:30, 17:4 and Matt 26:39).

This truth guarantees the salvation of the elect and is a glorious promise that we can rest in knowing that the son will lose none that the Father has given Him (John 6:44).

The perseverance and protection of the saints;

The New Testament echoes the Lord’s teaching regarding the perseverance and protection of the saints. For example, the apostle Paul’s teaching in Romans;

Romans 8:29-30 (NKJV)

For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.

The repeated phrase “He also” links the entire salvation process from eternity past to eternity future in an unbreakable chain.

All whom God foreknew are predestined, called, justified, and glorified; and no one will be lost along the way (Romans 8:31–39 /  Philippians 1:6 / Col. 3:3–4).

The saving prayer of Jesus;

We can even see the doctrine of election in the specific “saving” prayer of Jesus;.

John 17:9 (NKJV)

“I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for those whom You have given Me, for they are Yours.

Here specifically, we see Jesus praying His High priestly prayer for the elect, for those he loved and chose before the foundation of the world.   

Ephesians 1:3-4 (NKJV)

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,  just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love,

Conclusion

If you have a deep sense of conviction in your heart about the things of Christ and have a sense of love and submission for Him, then you can rest assured that you are one of the elect.

If you do not have this conviction at the moment, the call is still available for you today to believe in the saving work of Jesus Christ, repent of your sins and come to Him. 

Ultimately predestination / election is a family secret, recognized only from the inside. By an act of the will, we step through a gateway placarded by the words, ‘Whoever is thirsty, let him come.’ We enter only to look back and see the caption on the inside of the gate, ‘Chosen in him before the creation of the world’ (Eph. 1:4).

The truth does not lie in the balance of these two affirmations, but it purely rests on both extremes. 

God's sovereign election and human responsibility coexist—those who come to Christ find they were chosen by Him from eternity past.

What are the signs that I have been saved?

All Questions, Salvation

What are the signs that I have been saved?

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Salvation,   All Questions

Last Updated

Jan 30, 2025

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A major question believers ask regarding salvation is how do they know their salvation is real and assured? This is a very important question in the Christian life. Many believers doubt their salvation because they don’t see the “signs” of genuine faith in their lives.

According to the Bible, we should examine ourselves to determine if we are believers and are truly “in the faith”:

2 Corinthians 13:5 (NKJV)

Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? — unless indeed you are disqualified.

Thankfully, the apostle John has given us ample instruction for how we can know for sure that we have eternal life.

John 5:13 (NKJV)

These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.

Here are a series of tests in 1 John that we can use to examine ourselves and our faith.

  • Do you enjoy having fellowship with Christ and His redeemed people? (1 John 1:3 / John 13:35 / 1 John 4:20-21)
  • Would people say you walk in the light, or walk in the darkness? (1 John 1:6-7)
  • Do you admit and confess your sin? Do you repent continuously? (1 John 1:8-10)
  • Are you obedient to God’s Word & His commands? (1 John 2:3-5)
  • Does your life indicate you love God rather than the world? (1 John 2:15)
  • Is your life characterized by “doing what is right”? (1 John 2:29)
  • Do you seek to maintain a pure life? (1 John 3:3)
  • Do you see a decreasing pattern of sin in your life? (1 John 3:5-6) [Note: this refers to not continuing in sin as a way of life, not a total absence of sin.]
  • Do you demonstrate love for other Christians? (1 John 3:14)
  • Do you “walk the walk,” versus just “talking the talk”? (1 John 3:18-19)
  • Do you maintain a clear conscience? (1 John 3:21)
  • Do you experience victory in your Christian walk? (1 John 5:4)

If you are able to truthfully answer “Yes” to these questions (or a majority of them, and are working on the others), then your life is bearing the fruit of true salvation.

Another important way we can know our faith is genuine is when we persevere through trials. The testing of our faith produces endurance (James 1:2-4). When we go through life’s many trials and we persevere with endurance that experience is something that builds a strong assurance.

As great men of faith look back on their lives, they will always tell you their faith has grown stronger because it has survived every test.

When we face hard times, we may notice our faith is supernaturally elevated and we have a great sense of grace that strengthens us. The experience of a life surrendered to Christ diminishes doubt and gives the believer security.

You may say that having faith is difficult, but have you exercised your faith during difficult times? Are you relying on God? Have you examined your life once you have gained victory to see God’s hand at work? Or have you assumed that it was all in your own efforts?

Faith that has been tested assures the believer.  From the points above, we can see that it is not the perfection of your life that demonstrates your salvation, but rather the direction. The direction of love, devotion, service, transformation, humility and righteousness.

True salvation is reflected not in perfection, but in the direction of our lives—faith, love, obedience, and perseverance confirming our assurance in Christ.

What does it mean to be saved?

All Questions, Salvation

What does it mean to be saved?

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Salvation,   All Questions

Last Updated

Jan 28, 2025

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Salvation in the scriptures is described as having a past, present, and future aspect, each integral to the Christian faith.

Have been saved – Past Tense. (Justification)

Ephesians 2:8 (NKJV)

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,

Being saved – Present Tense. (Sanctification)

1 Corinthians 1:18 (NKJV)

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

Will be saved – Future Tense. (Glorification)

1 Corinthians 3:15  (NKJV)

If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.

So then, will we be saved? Or are we being saved? Or have we already been saved? The answer to all of these questions is Yes. You are being saved, and you will be saved if you have already been saved.

Once we trust in Christ, our salvation is made secure, as we have the promise of being sealed by the Holy Spirit till the day of our redemption.

Furthermore, there are a couple of things we have to keep in mind regarding our salvation.

(1) It is a gift.

If we do not understand this core concept, it messes up our entire understanding of salvation.

God blesses us with the gift of grace and does not expect us to work or earn it (as many have wrongly taught).

The bottom line is that we cannot pay for our salvation. We couldn’t do it before we got saved, and neither can we repay it after we get saved.

Romans 11:6 (NKJV)

And if by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. But if it is of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer work.

(2) It is eternal life.

Romans 6:23 (NKJV)

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

1 John 2:25 (NKJV)

And this is the promise that He has promised us—eternal life.

As a result of our sin, our actions have earned us death; however, by believing in His Son, Jesus Christ, God grants us eternal life.

This eternal life is forever and begins when you die to yourself and your ways and surrender to God.

(3) It is total forgiveness.

Psalm 103:12 (NKJV)

As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.

Isaiah 43:25 (NKJV)

“I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake;
And I will not remember your sins.

Forgiveness is a complete release from the penalty of sin, where God clothes us with His righteousness. While we may still fall into sin at times, we have the assurance that we will not suffer the consequence and penalty of sin (which is death) but have everlasting life completely justified before God.    

Romans 3:24 (NKJV)

being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus

(4) We have the righteousness of Jesus in our account.

Believers are made righteous before God because of Jesus’ finished work on the cross.

When Jesus died, His infinite righteousness was transferred into our account, and our sins were transferred to Him.

(6) Total Commitment

If you want to know if you are saved, ask who is in charge. He is either Lord of all or not your Lord at all. True salvation involves a life wholly committed to following Jesus.

A person who is saved will display a ‘total commitment’ to God, which is a clear sign that they are saved. Often, people attend church simply to get to Heaven, but never make Jesus their Lord.

Matthew 7:21 (NKJV)

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of Heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in Heaven.

In the above verse, Jesus openly warns His followers that there will be people who will claim His name but are not truly seeking Him.

In conclusion, salvation encompasses being saved from sin’s penalty, power, and presence. It begins with faith, continues through a life committed to Christ, and culminates in eternal life with Him. This comprehensive understanding assures us that salvation is not just a past event but an ongoing journey of transformation and hope in Christ.

Salvation is God's gift that forgives our sins, transforms our lives, and leads us to eternal life.

Dead Sea scrolls

About the Bible?, All Questions

What are the dead sea scrolls?

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Bible,   All Questions

Last Updated

Jan 23, 2025

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One of the most significant discoveries of the 20th century was the discovery of the dead sea scrolls. As a result of this discovery, we were able to authenticate many of the Bible’s stories and events.

The discovery of the dead sea scrolls matters because it gets to the heart of the question of whether we can genuinely trust the Bible as we have it today.

Dead Sea scrolls were discovered in 1947 by three Bedouin shepherds exploring a mountainous area near Qumran (about 20 miles east of Jerusalem, on the northwest shore of the Dead Sea).  

When one of the shepherds threw a rock into a cave, they heard pottery shatter and decided to explore it further. Next morning, one of the cousins climbed into the cave and found the jar shattered and a bunch of scrolls inside. He was disappointed to come across a few ancient manuscripts; however, he had no idea that these scrolls would be worth millions and would turn the archaeological and biblical world upside down.

The rock they had thrown hit a ceramic pot containing leather and papyrus scrolls that were later determined to be nearly 20 centuries old.  

In the years following the discovery of the dead sea scrolls, archaeologists have found at least 11 caves with more than 1,000 different complete manuscripts or scrolls. 

Essentially, they discovered an ancient library of books that provided a glimpse into the first century and earlier. These writings were done between 250 BC, before the time of Christ, and 64 AD, before the Romans came in and destroyed everything in Jerusalem. While many of these writings were just personal notes for the community, there were also actual Biblical books among them. That is, every biblical book of the Old Testament except Ester was found in whole or, in some cases, partial copies.  

One of the most significant Biblical discoveries was the Great Isaiah scroll (which prophesies Jesus’ coming and accounts of His crucification). The reason it is essential is that this scroll dates to about 125 BC, about a century and a quarter before Jesus was born. Before this finding, the only copy of Isaiah we had in its entirety was a version dated to 1008 AD.  

The scroll was further tested by historians against the copy written a thousand years after Christ’s death in order to determine if there were any changes made. They found that the two documents were virtually identical with only a couple of spelling / grammatical mistakes, which is expected as they had been copied by hand over millennia. In totality, this shows how much care Jewish scholars took when copying the word of God. 

Dead sea scrolls offer assurance to those reading the Bible today that the scribes weren’t just changing things at random. Rather, the Jewish scholars made sure that the scriptures were carefully copied. 

The dead sea scrolls finding is one of the many reasons why we can trust that the Bible we have today has not been manipulated or tampered with.

The discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls confirms the Bible's authenticity, showing that its texts were meticulously preserved over centuries, providing powerful evidence that the Scriptures we have today remain trustworthy and unchanged.

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