The Shadow of Things That May Be

It seems as though when Jesus talked to him disciples about going to the cross and dying and rising again that it was a foregone conclusion in His mind. But, the statement that Jesus makes about if this cup can pass from me in the Garden would suggest that Jesus thought that there might be other alternatives or that it was at least possible or why else ask for that?

Yes, that is puzzling. On one hand, you have the Biblical narrative that appears to sweep forward towards some kind of historical resolution-- a last battle. On the other hand, you clearly see the workings of individuals including Adam and Eve and Jesus making choices that open doors to one destiny or another. My bias is to the latter. For example, I see prophetic scriptures not so much in terms of what will be but what can be, not unlike the message delivered by Dicken's Ghost of Christmas Future, that as masters of ourn fate we can change the shadows of the things that may be:

The Spirit stood among the graves, and pointed down to One.

"Before I draw nearer to that stone to which you point, answer me one question. Are these the shadows of the things that Will be, or are they shadows of the things that May be only?"
Still the Ghost pointed downward to the grave by which it stood.

"Men's courses will foreshadow certain ends, to which, if persevered in, they must lead. But if the courses be departed from, the ends will change. Say it is thus with what you show me!"

The Spirit was immovable as ever.

Scrooge crept towards it, trembling as he went; and, following the finger, read upon the stone of the neglected grave his own name, -- EBENEZER SCROOGE.

"Am I that man who lay upon the bed? No, Spirit! O no, no! Spirit! hear me! I am not the man I was. I will not be the man I must have been but for this intercourse. Why show me this, if I am past all hope? Assure me that I yet may change these shadows you have shown me by an altered life."