The saint addresses the question whether the Lord Christ feared death, and explains that Christ did not fear death as a person fearing the cessation of his being, but rather he willed and went to death for the salvation of humanity, surrendering himself willingly to accomplish redemption.

Spiritual and textual explanation

He cites the teaching of the Fathers (such as Athanasius the Apostolic) and Gospel verses that show the Incarnate Word deliberately went to the place of arrest and gave himself, saying “I am he” and having authority to lay down his life. He also shows that Christ knew he would rise on the third day, so death for him is not an end but the way of salvation.

Meaning of “If you will, take this cup from me”

He clarifies that the “cup” is not merely physical death, but bearing the curse of the Law and the sins of the world and God’s wrath on sin — as if it were the cup of curse and the burnt offering that carries all the curses of the Law and the purity of divine retribution. Therefore the spiritual pain was greater: that Christ should stand as one who merits punishment before the Father to bear it for us.

Meaning of “supplications and tears asking to be delivered from death”

He explains that Christ’s supplications in the Garden of Gethsemane were not a request to be saved from bodily death as much as they manifested his spiritual grief over human sin, his concern for the scattering of the flock, and his worry for his disciples and the Church; he also strove that his sacrifice be accepted before the Father for the salvation of humanity.

Meaning of “He was heard because of His godliness (piety)”

What is meant is that Christ’s sacrifice was accepted by the Father — that the struggle, surrender, and offering for redemption were accepted — not that he was spared from the actual death which he came to undergo.

Meaning of “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me”

He explains that this expression does not mean the Divinity was separated from the Humanity, but that the Divinity allowed the Humanity to endure pain and divine wrath, i.e., leaving him to the pain, not a metaphysical separation.

Spiritual application

The saint invites us to understand that our fear of death differs from Christ’s stance: he submitted voluntarily and bore the curse and sin on our behalf, so we should respond with surrender of will and love to the salvation he brought.

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