Painting: The Agony in the Garden, Veronese (Paolo Caliari)
Luke 22:43-44
And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. And being in agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.
Me? The angel objected.
To comfort the King of Kings?
To strengthen the One who created me?
How can this be? The angel asked.
That the Divine Son should feel weak and feeble,
and needed comfort and encouragement.
What indignation! The angel felt.
How dare humans inflict such agony upon my Creator King!
I shall gather my legion of brothers to annihilate them!
Then he heard a cry so weak yet strong:
“Father, not my will but Yours be done!"
How can this be? The angel exclaimed.
The Son chose to bear the pain, the shame, and the separation.
The Father chose to let the Son die for unworthy sinners.
Praise and glory! The angel surmised.
For the angel had longed to behold God's redemptive plan (1 Pet 1:12).
And the Father has sent him to the garden not for the Son's sake but his.