Matthew 26:39 Did Jesus Pray Not to Die?

Matthew 26:39 He went forward a little, fell on his face, and prayed, saying, "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass away from me; nevertheless, not what I want, but what you want."

Matthew 26:42 Again, a second time he went away, and prayed, saying, "My Father, if this cup can't pass away from me, unless I drink it, your will be done."

Matthew 26:44 He left them again, went away, and prayed a third time, saying the same words.

The question was raised in another forum as to whether Jesus was here grasping to remain human, to not complete the sacrifice of his humanity. I don't think so.

What was the "cup" that Jesus asked that, if possible, to pass away from him? Was he asking that he not die -- that he continue to live on forever as a human? I don't think so; such would have to be assumed. Jesus knew that he had come to earth for the purpose of suffering and dying for the world of sinners, as was prophesied. So I doubt very much that he was praying for this to pass away from him.

Matthew records that before Jesus was "sorrowful and severely troubled." (Matthew 26:37) He had asked his disciples to watch with him, but instead he kept finding them asleep, and Jesus three times prayed that this cup pass away from him. Jesus knew he was about suffer probably as no man has ever suffered, and that he was to die. This was the very purpose for which he had come to earth. But he was very sorrowful and troubled in his soul. It appears that what he was asking for was for this cup of sorrow and trouble that he was feeling in his soul to pass away from him.

The scriptures do not reveal exactly why he was feeling so much pain in his soul at this time, but I have read two suggestions. Was it possible that Jesus had begun to wonder if he had been 100% perfect in carrying out the plans and purposes of his God, so that he could actually be that perfect sacrifice for sin? Was he asking for the pain he was feeling over this to pass away? Or, perhaps, the realization that all of his disciples were about to desert him was bearing upon him greatly, and he wished that this cup pass away, or, that, at least, his pain at feeling such a desertion by his disciples pass away. Or perhaps, the pain he was feeling in his soul concerned all the ignomy, suffering, death, that he was about to endure. Whatever he was feeling such sorrow and trouble in his soul about, this, I believe, was what he was asking to pass away from him. But Jesus was still willing to even endure all this pain in his soul, if it was his Father's will. Indeed, many have said that Jesus died of a broken heart, due to the pain he was feeling inside his very being, more so than than the physical pain inflicted upon him, or his anticipation of dying a sacrificial death.

And yet, only if one has gone through the depths of deep painful depression of mind and heart can one have only a glimpse of what Jesus was going through. Such a pain is not physical in itself, but it can produce physical results to the body. Such a pain can seem much worse than any other physical pain alone. Nevertheless, Jesus evidently realized that he was being called upon to experience this kind of pain, in stating that not his will, but God's be done. It was a necessary part of his experience to know the depths of pain that can come to human soul, that he might be in all respects like his brothers. (Hebrews 2:17) And at the final end, he felt the most painful aspect of all, when his Father had for a moment withdrew himself from Jesus, after which, Jesus knew his suffering was finished, and then he died.