“Father, if You are willing, take this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done” -- Luke 22:42
In reading this scripture, quoting Jesus’ words in the Garden of Gethsemane on the Mount of Olives the night before His crucifixion, do we brush over His speaking of the cup, not sure what cup He is referring to, and what its contents held? Do we truly understand the substance of this cup?
For most of us, a cup represents coffee, tea, or hot chocolate, something most of us enjoy drinking, especially as a comfort on a dreary morning or long day. Because it is pleasantly presented to us, we might find it difficult to understand what Jesus was saying when He asked God the Father to take this cup away from Him.
Because many pastors don’t talk much, or at all, about the wrath of God, some believers may not know the cup Jesus is referring to is the wrath of God.
Addressing God’s Wrath
God’s wrath isn’t discussed much in churches today, because it’s not a popular Bible study topic or book theme. It doesn’t make most of us feel warm and cozy, so it’s not often addressed. Many believers do not even know or understand that they are being saved from it because of Jesus’ death on the cross.
As 1 Thessalonians 5:9 explains, “For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Yet, Jesus took God’s wrath upon Himself for us. He took our place so that we would not experience it. But for those who do not receive Salvation through Jesus, God’s wrath is still to come because they have chosen to bear it themselves.
Romans 1:18-19 describes the situation they are in: “The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them.”
As well, as explained in John 3:36, “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.”
God’s Wrath Swept under the Church Rug
Nowadays, God’s wrath isn’t very culturally palatable or acceptable, and it's probably not even discussed or recognized in most of our churches, because we don’t want to scare people away or even think about God having to satisfy His wrath.
We want to focus more on a loving God who brings us joy, peace, and contentment, not on one who holds wrath in reserve. But just as much as a loving God is true, so is God’s wrath true, and one that calls us to recognize that for a just and holy God, sin has to be dealt with for us to live eternally in His peace and love.
Paying attention to God’s wrath means we have to pay attention to sin and can’t shy away from it as urged in Colossians 3:5-6: “Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry because of these, the wrath of God is coming.”
Yet, humankind’s sin and disobedience to God is the driving force behind His wrath. As Ephesians 5:6 describes, “Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient.”
His wrath against sin is also why we are free from avenging sins against us on our own, as Romans 12:19 explains, “Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: 'It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.
Jesus Rescued Us from God’s Wrath
Because Jesus bore God’s wrath Himself for us, as Christians, we are set free and clear from the wrath of God, as the Apostle Paul explains in Romans 5:9, “Since His blood has now justified us, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through Him!”
We, who believe in Him, have been rescued from it, as 1 Thessalonians 1:10 describes, “And to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.”
Let’s Pray:
Dear Father, my heart is overflowing with gratitude, Lord, for Jesus’ rescuing me from wrath and freeing me from the responsibility of avenging those who sin against You and against me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Lynette Kittle is married with four daughters. She enjoys writing about faith, marriage, parenting, relationships, and life. Her writing has been published by Focus on the Family, Decision, Today’s Christian Woman, kirkcameron.com, Ungrind.org, StartMarriageRight.com, and more. She has a M.A. in Communication from Regent University and serves as associate producer for Soul Check TV.
Related Resource: Discouragement Often Comes after Calling | Ezra 3
In this episode of The Bible Explained, Jen walks through Ezra chapter 3 and explores the Israelites’ return from exile as they begin rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem. She highlights how the people, though fearful and greatly outnumbered, chose unity, obedience, and worship by first rebuilding the altar and restoring sacrifices to God. The episode focuses on the emotional moment when the temple foundation is laid—some rejoice with gratitude while others weep, remembering the former temple’s glory. Through passages in Ezra, Haggai, and Zechariah, Jen emphasizes God’s encouragement not to “despise small beginnings,” reminding listeners that God often works through humble starts, difficult seasons, and imperfect circumstances. The episode closes with a practical encouragement: when God calls people to a purpose, opposition and discouragement will come, but faithful perseverance and trust in God’s presence are what carry the work forward. If this podcast helped you understand the Bible in a clearer way, be sure to follow The Bible Explained on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode!
Originally published Thursday, 16 April 2026.
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