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…in the days of his flesh, when He [Jesus] had offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to him who was able to save him from death, and was heard because of his godly fear… Hebrews 5:7

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🔊 These verses refer to the Garden of Gethsemane, and the conflict of the ages that was battled out there. Jesus’ prayer was heard, which indicates that He was not praying in the garden to escape the cross. He was praying that He would be strengthened to overcome the sorrow of His soul, and not die of grief there in the garden. His prayer was heard, and an angel appeared to Him, strengthening Him – Luke 22:43. What sorrow was this that was threatening to tear the very life out of Him? There can be no doubt that the cross was agony, but there was also unspeakable agony there in the garden, as He prayed through and was made able to bear that cross to the end and be made sin for us. The anguish of God over the state of the human race is the anguish of love, that is torn asunder over our misery and pain. How He longed to do something that would thoroughly heal the human heart. That is what tore Him apart, and that is what Calvary is all about. The victory was won there in Gethsemane as Christ embraced the answer for us, namely that He be made an offering for sin. He did it, and it is finished. Thank Him and embrace Him in His redeeming power to heal you from sin.