The Christian doctrine of the Trinity teaches us that God is ONE…but exists in three forms: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. They are “co-eternal”; which means they have always existed. The Father did not CREATE the Son….nor did the Son CREATE the Holy Spirit. They are all “GOD”…..but in three constant forms. They exist “three in one” at all times. Which is why you see, for example, the Son praying to the Father; and the Holy Spirit descending upon the Son at the baptism of Jesus. (Matthew 3:16-17) God is ONE, though existent in three forms.
With that said, we must also realize that there is an order within the Godhead. The Son, willingly submits Himself to the Father….and the Holy Spirit willingly carries out the Father’s plan of exalting the Son. While I know this can be a very deep and “meaty” theological issue, it will greatly expand our awe of God if we can try to grasp this truth. And a deeper understanding of God cannot help but change us for the good.
Jesus proclaimed that it was His greatest desire to do the will of His Father. (John 4:34) The relationship between Father and Son is therefore one of perfect obedience on Jesus’ part and perfect commands on God the Father’s part. I think any Father would love to see perfect obedience from his son. But earthly “father-son” relationships are never perfect because they are made up of two sinners. My son doesn’t always “perfectly obey” me…and I don’t always give him “perfect commands” to obey. The sin curse mars the relationship and thus sometimes problems arise. Not so with God. God’s commandments and Jesus’ obedience is perfect because there is no sin curse within the Godhead that causes the Son to rebel against the Father’s authority; or for the Father to “sin” in his giving commands to the Son. But what about in the Garden of Gethsemane?
On the night before his arrest, Jesus prayed to the Father in the Garden of Gethsemane that “if possible, let this cup pass from me.” (Luke 22:42) We know that ultimately Jesus was obedient to the Father. But doesn’t this show us an example of the Father and the Son having different desires for a particular act; namely the cross? And if they have different plans or hopes regarding this act, then isn’t that an example of the Son desiring (though not forcing) something that was contrary to the will of the Father? And if the Son is desiring something contrary to the will of the Father….isn’t that sin?
At this point, I’ll ask you to NOT FREAK OUT and reject the Christian faith, nor to consider Jesus as being disobedient in this act. In fact, quite to the contrary, I submit that Jesus’ desire to “let this cup pass” was actually an example of His perfect righteousness, obedience, and respect towards God the Father. Here’s why.
What was “the cup” that Jesus was praying to “let pass” from Him? Answer, the “cup” of wrath that was to be poured out upon Him to pay for the sins of His people. The cross was not just the execution of an innocent man…it was on the cross that the wrath of God the Father was poured out upon the Son who was acting as the atoning sacrifice and mediator between the perfectly Holy Father….and the wickedly disobedient creation. Now I ask you: Is it sinful for a person to desire escape from the wrath of God? Of course not. In fact it is an act of great reverence towards the Father to say in effect, “Father I don’t want to experience Your wrath, nor do I wish to be separated from You for even a moment” which is basically what Jesus was saying. This isn’t a case of two different wills…..rather it’s a case of the Son showing complete and total reverence (and ultimately obedience) towards God the Father.
Look at it this way. Suppose one of my daughters does something wrong and deserves punished. But instead I tell my son that I’m going to punish Him in her place. Furthermore suppose that my son is perfect (which He is not) and says, “Dad, if possible, I would prefer to do this another way. But I’ll go along with whatever you say.” Would he be sinning to say that? Of course not. In fact I would marvel at his grace and obedience, in that he would still be willing to go through with this plan that makes him pay for another’s wrongdoing. In fact, I would be wrong to ask him to do that. But not so with God.
The Triune God’s perfect plan was for the “Father to send the Son to be the Savior of the world.” (1 John 4:14) This entailed the Son living a perfect life of obedience towards the Father, and then dying a sacrificial death on behalf of sinners. This also entailed the Father pouring His wrath upon the Son so that the sin debt would be forever paid. Furthermore this perfect plan involved the Holy Spirit (the often forgotten 3rd member of the Trinity) convicting the world of sin, and pointing them to Jesus Christ through the witness of Christians and the word of God. It was a perfect plan to pay for imperfect people, executed to the letter by an amazingly gracious, loving, and righteous God. When Jesus said, “let this cup pass” He wasn’t being disobedient….He was showing His Father respect. When He said, “nevertheless, not my will but Yours be done” He was building upon that perfect respect, with perfect obedience.
Now we, as His followers, are to go and do likewise. Perfect respect towards the Father by perfectly obeying the Son, being done by the perfect power of the Holy Spirit. And when we fail in our perfection, we cry out for that perfect grace that only a perfect God can give. And then we accept the perfect forgiveness that was only made possible because Jesus said: “Father, if possible, let this cup pass. Nevertheless, not my will but YOURS be done.”