How did Jesus understand his death?

Answer 1

A:Depending on the gospel, Jesus (1) believed that God would intervene to save him from crucifixion; (2) was reluctant to die but willing to do God's bidding; (3) feared death so greatly that his sweat was like drops of blood; or (4) looked forward to death as the accomplishment of his mission. Starting with Mark's Gospel because this was the original New Testament gospel:

1. Mark's Gospel gives us one answer - if this is a historical record, Jesus was very reluctant to die. At the Garden of Gethsemene (Mark 14:35): "And he went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him." Mark 15:34 says that Jesus' last words on the cross were, "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" He had prayed to God at the Garden of Gethsemene and now realised that God was not answering his prayer to be saved from crucifixion. If this is not a historical record of Jesus' last words, then there is no foundation for the gospel story of the crucifixion. But if these passages are true, Jesus had no wish to die on the cross, only dying because God did not intervene to save him.
2. Matthew 26:39 portrays a very human reluctance but also a willingness to do his Father's bidding: "And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt."
3. Luke 22:41-44: "And he was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him. And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground." This passage is the most ambiguous of all. Jesus shows relucatance to die, but willingness to do his Father's bidding, much as he does in Matthew. On the other hand, his sweat is like great drops of blood, showing him to be very afraid.
4. In John's Gospel, Jesus prays before going to the garden, not while he is there. In John 17:1-4, Jesus was not just human. He had no fear of the crucifixion, having been sent from heaven for this very mission and glorified by God: "These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee: As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him. And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do."