Questions. We see Jesus Christ asking …pleading…the Father in the garden if the crucifixion can be avoided? I would say he did fear death but what he feared substantially more was there not being Fruit unto God. Just an observation. I’m not sure I can not fear death. But what I fear more is death with a life lived that was empty and in vain. No fruit unto God.
To me that is what takes the sting out of death. That God has given (granted)Freedom (Liberty) to bear Fruit unto God prior to death, made free from sin by the body of Christ, and to not fear being “barren” or “unfruitful”.
Does that make sense? To me death use to be the scariest. But now the scariest is…I know for certain this time is fragile and unpredictable. The scariest of all is: if I don’t know God and all of this is empty and useless and pointless and increases and profits none. In vain. That is terrifying. I do think Jesus wrestled with death, but bowed to “Your Will be done, Father.” Fearing more …not enduring for the Joy set before Him.
I don't think he was pleading to avoid the crucifixion. That doesn't mean that he was looking forward to suffering it.
"Let this cup pass from me" -is a reference to his body-- his physical self. He's actually welcoming the end of his time, while anticipating the cruelty of what he must endure before that end comes. It's like being told you have a terminal illness. You can be unafraid of the death (oh death, where is your sting) and confident entirely of the promise that the end is not the end, and yet fearful of the pain and physical decline that will come before death takes you.
I have known many firemen, cops, soldiers and the like who truly have no fear of death. None of them wanted to drown, burn, or get shot.