Deliverance from the Cross — Page 42
time, saying the same words'. (Matt. 26:36-44) Quite understandably Jesus, a sincere servant of God and a true prophet, was much agitated over the prospect of being condemned to death by crucifixion, for apart from the suffering involved, such a denouement would forever become a barrier to the Jews believing in him as the Messiah, as they would deem his death accursed. Therefore, he supplicated repeatedly in agony that he might be delivered from death on the cross. 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) As a true prophet, he realised that his duty was to approach God humbly for deliverance, as for instance, the Holy Prophet supplicated humbly and passionately before the Battle of Badar. Both hoped and believed that their respective prayers would be accepted, yet their souls were in travail before the awful majesty of God Who alone had full knowledge of His Own designs. That is why Jesus added to his supplication: 'Nevertheless, not as I will, but as Thou wilt. ' He was fully conscious that he had to conform to and carry out the divine will, whatever it might be. Incidentally, this attitude confirms that his relationship with God was that of a prophet and not that of an equal partner in the Godhead. 42