In His final moments on earth, Jesus struggled in deep anguish in the garden of Gethsemane. As He looked west from the garden, He would see the temple in all its beauty. There, thousands of animals were sacrificed every year, their blood staining the altar. But the blood had no real power to take away sins (see Hebrews 10:3–4). This view would have reminded Jesus of all that lay ahead and how His blood would soon be shed on the cross as He sacrificed himself willingly to atone for the sins of all mankind.

As Jesus wrestled with this difficult cup that He had to drink, He asked His three disciples, Peter, James, and John, to support Him in prayer (Mark 14:32–33). However, they failed to stand alongside Jesus in His hour of need. Despite Jesus pleading with them three times to keep awake, they fell asleep.

At the most crucial hour, the disciples showed that they did not fully comprehend the cost of following Jesus. In their journey of discipleship, they had argued over who was the greatest and clamoured for status and positions of power (see Mark 9:33–34, 10:35–40). Up to this point, they still did not understand what it meant to share in Jesus’ cup of suffering and to take up their crosses to follow Him, even to the point of dying for their faith.

Likewise, Jesus has called us to follow Him, and each of us has a cup that we must drink. At times, the burden we carry may be heavy. We may even be tempted to remove the cup. But may we draw strength as we reflect on Jesus’ prayer in the garden of Gethsemane: “Not what I will, but what you will” (Mark 14:36). May we be willing to submit to God’s will and remain faithful to Him.