Because he took the cup

Again, a second time, he went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.” (Matthew 26:42)

I was thinking of the meaning of Passover as I read Jesus’ prayer this morning.

When God judged Egypt, his wrath “passed over” the Israelites.

But Jesus recognized that the cup of God’s judgment and wrath could not simply pass over him as it did the Israelites.

Why not?

He was innocent. He never sinned. Why couldn’t it pass over him?

Because if it had, we would have all had to drink it instead. We are sinners, deserving of God’s judgment and wrath.

The whole reason God’s judgment and wrath passes over us is that Jesus drank them in undiluted on the cross.

That’s an amazing thing to ponder.