Did Jesus not want to go to the cross?

Answer:

Jesus understood that it was necessary for him to die on the cross, but it doesn't mean he enjoyed what he did.

In John 12:20-28, some Greeks approached Phillip with a request to see Jesus. Philip goes to Andrew, a man from the same town (James 1:44), with the request, and they both approach Jesus. Notice the contrast between the Greeks’ desire to see Jesus and the Jewish leaders’ arrogant rejection of the one they have seen. When told of the request, Jesus states that the time has come for the division between the Jews and Greeks to come to an end. It is time for Jesus to be glorified.

But for this to take place a death must occur. Just as a grain of wheat remains alone until it dies to produce more grain, so must Jesus die to bring more people to God. If life in this world is placed first, life will be lost. Only by despising earthly life can eternal life be gained (Matthew 10:39; 16:25; Mark 8:35; Luke 9:24; 17:33). In other words, the same words Jesus taught his disciples to follow also govern his own life.

In response to the request of the Greeks, Jesus said that if anyone wishes to serve Jesus they must be willing to follow him, and then they will receive honor from God. This, too, is as Jesus has taught before (Matthew 16:24). His followers knew it was required of them (Romans 8:17). By service to God they would always be with God (II Corinthians 5:8; Philippians 1:23; I Thessalonians 4:17; Revelation 21:3).

Returning to the topic of his impending death, Jesus admits that he is troubled by the thought of it. The principle Jesus asked his followers to live by was difficult even for the Son of God. However, he can’t ask the Father to prevent it because he came into the world to die for mankind. Jesus’ statement is expressed in the Greek both as a question and as a prayer. He ends with the assertion “Father, glorify Your name.” These two statements foreshadow Jesus’ prayers in the Garden of Gethsemane later.

When Jesus entered the garden and was alone with his closest disciples, Jesus revealed the anguish he was feeling (Matthew 26:36-38). The wording is that he sorrowed to point of nearly being overwhelmed with grief. It crushed him nearly to death (Psalm 116:3). He fell on his face and prayed that this tribulation might be taken away, but knowing it could not, he submitted himself to God’s will (Matthew 26:39). It is a prayer that Jesus mentioned before (John 12:27; Hebrews 5:6-8). Jesus knew that God could accomplish anything, including removing the need for his death. He is answered by God and an angel was sent to strengthen him. His trial was not removed, but he was given the encouragement necessary to face the trial that was upon him (Luke 22:42).

The lesson for us is that obedience to God is not always enjoyable or easy, but our decision to follow God cannot be based on our feelings and emotions but upon the truth.