The Garden

Matthew 26:36-46

Jesus Prays in Gethsemane

Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, "Sit here, while I go over there and pray." And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, "My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me." And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, "My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will." And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter, "So, could you not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, "My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done." And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. So, leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words again. Then he came to the disciples and said to them, "Sleep and take your rest later on. See, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand."

Mark 14:32-42

Jesus Prays in Gethsemane

And they went to a place called Gethsemane. And he said to his disciples, "Sit here while I pray." And he took with him Peter and James and John, and began to be greatly distressed and troubled. And he said to them, "My soul is very sorrowful, even to death. Remain here and watch." And going a little farther, he fell on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. And he said, "Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will." And he came and found them sleeping, and he said to Peter, "Simon, are you asleep? Could you not watch one hour? Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." And again he went away and prayed, saying the same words. And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were very heavy, and they did not know what to answer him. And he came the third time and said to them, "Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? It is enough; the hour has come. The Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand."

Luke 22:39-46

Jesus Prays on the Mount of Olives

And he came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him. And when he came to the place, he said to them, "Pray that you may not enter into temptation." And he withdrew from them about a stone's throw, and knelt down and prayed, saying, "Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done." And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground. And when he rose from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping for sorrow, and he said to them, "Why are you sleeping? Rise and pray that you may not enter into temptation."
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As I sit here and write before I go to bed in the wee morning hours of this Good Friday I am reminded of the temptations faced by my savior in the Garden of Gethsemane about this time before his crucifixion. I am reminded that he was fully God and fully man. Christ's flesh was in great agony over his approaching physical pain, separation from the father, and carrying the burden of the sins of the world. The course was set, but Christ in his human nature still struggled (Hebrews 5:7-9). Since he was tempted with everything and endured the most intense suffering this night, he can relate to whatever we are going through, no matter what. Jesus' strength came from the father. Our strength too must come from the father. We can endure anything if he is the source of our strength.

The prayer, "Yet I want your will, not mine." Jesus wanted to know if this was the only way. He knew the pain that was coming. This does not illustrate Christ rebelling, but it shows us just the level of agony he was in.

This night was made worse because the people he trusted as friends to help him where asleep. Oftentimes when Jesus needs us to do his will here on earth we are asleep and unprepared. Pray this day that God will grant you the strength to be alert when he sends you into service.

Christ was unbelievably tempted in the garden. He probably endured the most oppressive temptation that the world has ever known. In times of great stress temptation is strong. In the garden Christ showed us three steps to take in order to resist when facing this level of temptation. 1) We must pray to the father. 2) We must seek the support of friends and loved ones. 3) We must also be sure to keep our eyes on the task that the Lord has given us.

Dr. Luke was the only writer to describe the agony of Christ by stating that he was sweating drops of blood. He was in such agony, but praise God he never stopped. Never once did he stop. We were on his mind. We were part of his motivation. What a savior we serve....

Jesus told the disciples to pray, because he knew that they were going to enter into extreme temptation also. They were about to see their savior die. Would they still believe he was the messiah? Would they remain faithful? Would they remember the promise of the resurrection?

The savior is asking you the same questions today. When modern scientists try to kill Christ and God by their logic, are you still going to believe in him? When cultural relativists tell you religion is divisive, are you going to stand up for your savior? What about those who say all religion is the same? Will you still stand for Jesus? Is he your all and all?


May these things fill your mind on this blessed Good Friday, but don’t you ever forget that Sunday’s coming…Godspeed!