Understanding the Doctrine of Christ's Passion

What is passion?

In Christian theology, 'passion' specifically denotes Jesus’ suffering and death, as vividly depicted in Scripture.

This term is most directly associated with Jesus’ anguish in Matthew 26:39, where He prays, 'My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me,' reflecting His human distress before crucifixion. Unlike modern secular uses of 'passion' to mean intense emotion or dedication, the biblical passion emphasizes sacrificial suffering as central to salvation.

Jesus' Passion in Matthew 26:39

Matthew 26:39 clearly shows the tension between Jesus' humanity and divine mission during his passion.

In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus prays, 'My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death,' revealing the crushing weight of impending crucifixion (Matthew 26:39). This moment underscores his genuine emotional anguish as he confronts the Father’s will, symbolized by the 'cup' of suffering he must drink. The verse highlights both his vulnerability and obedience, as he surrenders to a fate that would entail spiritual separation from God - a necessary act for humanity’s redemption. Here, passion transcends physical pain to encompass the totality of Jesus’ sacrificial commitment.

Jesus’ plea, 'if it is possible,' acknowledges the cost of divine justice while affirming his submission. This prayer becomes a theological hinge, connecting his human struggle to the eternal purpose of atonement.

By embracing this 'cup,' Jesus models radical obedience, setting the stage for the cross’s redemptive power. This verse, therefore, anchors the passion narrative in both emotional authenticity and cosmic significance, preparing readers to grasp the full scope of his sacrifice.

Passion and Divine Will

Jesus' passion in Matthew 26:39 shows the interplay between his human vulnerability and divine resolve to fulfill God's redemptive plan.

In Gethsemane, Jesus' prayer - 'My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me' - acknowledges his human dread of suffering while Philippians 2:5-8 underscores his ultimate surrender: 'He made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant' to obey the Father's will. This duality illustrates that Jesus' passion was not mere passivity but active obedience, embracing the 'cup' of crucifixion as the necessary path to atonement. His submission models how divine purpose transcends human fear, redefining obedience as self-giving love.

This tension between desire and duty highlights the theological depth of Christ's passion, setting the stage for exploring its implications for human faithfulness and divine justice.

Passion in the Life of Believers

The biblical concept of passion, rooted in Christ's sacrificial suffering, reshapes the call to Christian discipleship by emphasizing self-denial and obedience to God's will over personal ambition.

In 1 Peter 2:21, believers are called to emulate Christ’s passion by embracing suffering for righteousness, not seeking personal gain. This redefines 'passion' as faithful endurance in service, diverging from contemporary associations with self-driven ambition.

This understanding of passion anchors Christian identity in cruciform obedience, where sacrifice becomes a testament to allegiance with Christ’s redemptive mission. Followers are thus challenged to prioritize communal good over individual success, mirroring Jesus’ submission in Gethsemane. Such a reorientation demands a radical redefinition of purpose, where true 'passion' lies not in personal achievement but in bearing witness to God’s grace through self-giving love.

Why Passion Matters Today

Christ's passion remains vital for modern believers as it anchors their understanding of redemption and the transformative power of sacrificial love.

Through His willingness to drink the 'cup' of crucifixion (Matthew 26:39), Jesus models how suffering, when aligned with God's will, becomes a redemptive force that offers hope in despair and meaning to human pain. This act underscores that true discipleship demands embracing God's purpose - even when it involves personal cost - redefining suffering as a conduit for spiritual growth. By surrendering His will to the Father's, Jesus demonstrates that obedience to divine calling often requires relinquishing self-preservation.

Embracing this truth challenges believers to weigh their own 'cups' with humility, recognizing that faithfulness may involve sacrifice. Such reflection prepares readers to explore how this cruciform framework reshapes ethical and spiritual priorities in daily life.

Going Deeper

To deepen your understanding of Jesus’ passion, explore commentaries on the Gospel of Matthew and theological treatments of His atonement.

Scholarly works such as *The Gospel of Matthew* by R.T. France or *The Cross of Christ* by John Stott offer nuanced insights into the redemptive significance of Christ’s suffering. Engaging with these resources can illuminate how His obedience in Gethsamane (Matthew 26:39) reshapes our view of sacrifice and divine love.