ELTBefore Ayin ע
The *ע* (Ayin) represents the flesh, with the right stroke being a *נ* (Nun) at the top and a *כ* (Kaf) at the bottom, symbolizing the human aspect of Jesus, who, though fully God, experienced the struggle of His flesh. In His humanity, Jesus was not eager to face the suffering and death on the cross, and the flesh, or human nature, often resists such a fate. The idea that the bride (*ז* - Zayin) distracts Him from the cross reflects the tension between His divine purpose and His human desires.
Here are some verses that highlight Jesus' struggle in the flesh, expressing that, though He is God, He did not desire to die:
**Jesus in His Flesh Struggles with the Cross**
1. ▸ ± Matthew 26:39
*"Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, 'My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.'"* - In this moment, Jesus expresses the deep struggle of His flesh, asking for the cup (of suffering and death) to be taken away, though ultimately submitting to the Father's will.
2. ▸ ± Mark 14:36
*"'Abba, Father,' he said, 'everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.'"* - Similar to the passage in Matthew, this shows Jesus' flesh wrestling with the impending suffering, though He ultimately surrenders to God’s will.
3. ▸ ± Luke 22:42
*"Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done."* - Again, Jesus expresses His desire to avoid the suffering of the cross, showing the tension between His human nature and divine mission.
4. ▸ ± John 12:27
*"Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? 'Father, save me from this hour'? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour."* - Jesus reveals the turmoil in His soul over the cross, acknowledging the difficulty of His mission but affirming that He came for this very purpose.
5. ▸ ± Hebrews 5:7
*"During the days of Jesus' life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission."* - This verse highlights that Jesus, in His flesh, cried out to God, asking for deliverance from death, yet He remained submissive to God’s will.
6. ▸ ± Luke 22:44
*"And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground."* - This passage illustrates the depth of Jesus’ emotional and physical struggle in His humanity, demonstrating His resistance to the suffering He knew He would endure.
Conclusion
These verses reveal that Jesus, though fully God, experienced a very real struggle in His humanity, desiring to avoid the death He was about to face. His flesh, represented by the *ע* (Ayin), recoiled from the suffering of the cross, but He ultimately submitted to the will of the Father. The tension between His divine purpose and human nature shows the depth of His sacrifice.
