Source of Suffering, Atonement, Part 3

The idea that the Father administered the bitter cup to the lips of Savior has really stayed with me. Abraham's dagger had its own horror to a knowing parent, but there is something so much more intensely terrible of a parent putting the 'bitter cup' to a child's lips. Then for an all-powerful mature adult to accept it! The image in my mind is that the Savior did not put His hands forth for the cup - that it could only by handled and administered by the Father. All Jesus could do was open His mouth to receive.

The 'cup' imagery works so well. It is not that the Father is mad at us or that he has some selfish need to vent his frustrations at our weakness. It is that the Fall, our own personal sins, and the ensuing physical dealth have added to the cup's contents and now must somehow be consumed. Being perfect uniquely qualified the Savior to drink the contents once for all.

Scriptures cited earlier make it clear that if we do not choose to accept the Savior's sacrifice, then our own cup, filled by our own actions, must be consumed ourselves. That will take time. Again, why those valiant in the testimony of Christ are ready for immediate resurrection and those not must finish the own personal terrible task before passing onto to glory.

Last topic to consider in this line: the role of Satan in Christ's suffering.

Of the many goals of the Atonement, these are two for this thought: (1) answer the demands of Justice discussed so far, and (2) win power over Satan. Satan does not appear to be the source of answering the demands of Justice. I think there is enough evidence the Cup was not of Satan, but Satan was of course determined to prevent the Savior from drinking.

Sunday School class this year pointed out the importance of the JST of Mark 14:32-34. It clarifies that it was the disciples who were, "The disciples began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy, and to complain in their hearts, wondering if this be the Messiah."

Certainly sounds like a description of Satan's presence.

Then back in the original text in Mark, the Savior's comment to Peter in 38, 'Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak." Again words that describe the presence of Satan: temptation, watch, and praying for support. What temptation was Christ speaking of? I think He knew the presence of Satan and wanted the disciples to be on their gaurd.

In between the focus that the Savior would have had to exercise to drink the bitter cup, Satan was certainly tormenting. Maybe that was one role of the visiting angel - to cast out Satan from the focus and pain that the Savior had to endure at the edge of the infinite bitter cup.

Just turning back to the Savior's comments to the apostles quickly, it appears that the Savior is chiding the apostles throughout the experience. Isn't it a positive to have the Savior say that the Spirit is willing? Christ knows they are trying. Could his response point to His gathering his strength to face another set of suffering? Reaffirming that those He was so intently serving were trying (the Spirit) so hard to reach the point of perfection. Recognizing the weakness of the flesh and that He must continue on in their behalf.

My feeling is that Mark 14:41,42 is so missed for what it is:

"And he cometh the third time, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: it is enough, the hour is come; behold, the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise up, let us go; lo, he that betrayeth me is at hand."

What may appear on first read to be a rebuke to sleep on makes no sense. Logically, why would the Savior say 'sleep on' in the same thought as 'rise up'? Clearly he didn't mean one at face value. On top of that, would the Savior exiting Gethsemane really use sarcasm? It is a ridiculous thought.

Mark 14:41 is a great scripture - "Sleep on now, take your rest: it is enough" - the first proclomation by the Savior that the Atonement was complete! That we His brethren could take our rest, take our rest from the viles of Justice, the suffering of death, our own bitter cup. "Sleep on now" can be easily rephrased to live your life, don't worry, I have saved you. This is not a rebuke! This is a proclomation of peace, life, and glory - the perfect and infinite redemption of mankind.