A Pattern in Times of Adversity

Luke 22:41–44 is a powerful description of the Savior’s response to suffering in Gethsemane: “Then he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, knelt down, and prayed, ‘Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me; yet, not my will but yours be done.’ [[Then an angel from heaven appeared to him and gave him strength. In his anguish he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down on the ground.]]”[1] Adversity is a major part of our existence. We all go through periods of suffering, and we can look to the Savior’s example as we face these difficult times in our life.

Christ’s prayer contained in verses 41–42 provides a beautiful pattern of how we might approach life’s trials. For example, when we are experiencing a debilitating disease or heart-wrenching circumstance, we might pray in a similar manner, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me; yet, not my will but yours be done.” Inherent in this prayer is a resolve to submit to God’s will. In life, there are things that we can control and things that we cannot control. We encounter a lot of adversity in life, most of which is out of our control. For example, if someone is diagnosed with cancer, they normally cannot control the outcome of their prognosis. Recognizing that God is ultimately aware of our condition, and that He has the power to intervene in our life, we might pray for the trial we are facing to be removed. In the end, however, we must be willing to submit to the will of the Father, no matter the outcome.

Verses 43–44 have long been an area of hermeneutical debate and exegetical analysis. Some argue that these verses are an anti-docetic interpolation[2], while others argue that the absence of these verses in certain translations and commentaries demonstrates an apologetic omission.[3] In the absence of absolute consensus, these verses provide a pragmatic pattern for facing suffering. Verse 43 demonstrates the importance of receiving help from outside sources. For example, when an individual experiences sickness or mental illness, it would be wise to seek help from appropriate outside sources. In addition to other sources of help, verse 44 is a powerful description of the most important source, our Heavenly Father, to whom we should turn during times of anguish. During such times, we can pray more earnestly and rely on the Lord in our afflictions.

Endnotes

[1]. Luke 22:41–44. All Bible translations are taken from the NRSV. Verses 43-44 are placed in double brackets in the NRSV because some early manuscripts lack these verses. These verses have long been a source of textual criticism. They have also been the source of much theological and Christological debate.

[2]. B.D. Ehrman and M.A. Plunkett, “The Angel and the Agony: The Textual Problem of Luke 22:43–44,” CBQ 45 (1983): 401–16. Opposition against docetism, the idea that Jesus did not actually come in the flesh, but rather appeared like he did, is often argued to be the reason why these verses would have been added.

[3]. L.H. Blumell, “Luke 22:43–44: An Anti-Docetic Interpolation or an Apologetic Omission?” TC: A Journal of Biblical Textual Criticism 19 (2014): 1–35. In this article, Blumell draws from important early Christian thinkers, such as Justin, Irenaeus, and Tatian, as well as an analysis of some of the earliest manuscripts, to argue that these verses were in the original text and were later omitted to conform with Nicene orthodoxy.