The Garden: Wrestling with God's Will

Introduction

-Anxiousness about the storm/tornadoes-rightly so, 24 victims in Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi/Arkansas.

In today’s message we begin a six-message series entitled, “The Road to Redemption: A Journey to the Cross and Beyond. The title of this morning’s message is The Garden: Wrestling with God’s Will.”

Have you ever stopped to consider all that was going through the mind of Christ prior to the Crucifixion? Let us remember; Jesus was God Incarnate, but He was also man, He was humanity. He was not partially God and partially man, He was all God and all man.

I have attempted and that is all it is, is a fatal attempt, to place myself in Jesus’ shoes and brother let me tell you Jesus was a tough. Jesus was mentally tough tough considering His humanity.

In just a few verses prior, Jesus was sitting with His traitor that would sell Him out for 30 pieces of silver. Think about that for a moment. Absorb that with all your being. Sitting right amid you is one that will orchestrate your arrest which will start the chain reaction events leading to your crucifixion.

Let me say again, Jesus was all God and all man. He was omniscient to know Judas’ actions, His obedience to the Heavenly Father was predetermined-that was the will of the Father and that was the will of Jesus. In His humanity as he shares with Peter, James, and John, He reminds us that “the flesh is weak.”

In Jesus’ humanity, He had to hold fast His emotions that the culprit of His ultimate death was eating at the same table with Him. I know I would not have the mental or emotional fortitude, nor love to tolerate such an act.

He knew when He instituted the Lord’s Supper, the bread and the cup her referred to represented His body. His blood would be the offering for the remission of sins. He knew it by aptitude, but He knew it in heart and yet He pressed on.

Jesus knew He would walk this journey alone. The key leader of the apostles and one who was a part of Jesus’ inner circle would be one that would deny Jesus, not once, not twice, but three times and all the other disciples would scatter when He was arrested. Again, Jesus being all God and all man, knew this in His mind, but more importantly, he knew it in His heart.

Our time together this morning is all about surrendering to God’s will. There are tough decisions we face every day and many times we know the will of God and even though it is God’s will, it is not the easy decision. In fact, there are times that God’s will decisions are the toughest decisions because we cannot see our ability to accomplish them without the Lord. Exactly. We will learn today that we can make tough decisions with the Lord’s help.

Turn in your Bibles this morning to Matthew 26:36-46.

Matthew 26:36-46

Matthew 26:36–46 NKJV

36 Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to the disciples, “Sit here while I go and pray over there.” 37 And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and He began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed. 38 Then He said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me.” 39 He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.” 40 Then He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “What! Could you not watch with Me one hour? 41 Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 42 Again, a second time, He went away and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if this cup cannot pass away from Me unless I drink it, Your will be done.” 43 And He came and found them asleep again, for their eyes were heavy. 44 So He left them, went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words. 45 Then He came to His disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46 Rise, let us be going. See, My betrayer is at hand.”

Prayer

Message

Mark 14:32-42; Luke 22:40-46. Mark’s account is similar, but Luke’s account has some variation.

We read in verse 36 “then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to His disciples, sit here while I go and pray over there.”

Interestingly, the name Gethsemane means “oil press.”

Jesus’ suffering in Gethsemane reflects the pressing of olives:

Just as olives are crushed and squeezed under great pressure to yield valuable oil, Jesus was under intense emotional and spiritual pressure as He prayed before His arrest.

Luke 22:44 says, “His sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.” This imagery evokes the crushing process of the oil press.

The first press of the olives produced the purest oil for temple lamps—just as Jesus, the Light of the World, gave Himself fully.

The repeated pressing reminds us of Jesus enduring betrayal, trials, beatings, and ultimately the cross.

The Weight of the Moment (v. 37-38)

–Jesus’ deep distress in Gethsemane

Jesus had been to Gethsemane routinely because it was a place to get away. Gethsemane was a place of privacy, a place of solitude. We know that Jesus prayed in the Garden as He did in this text, we have studied this text in other accounts. They may have stopped here to have a meal, but it was commonplace to retreat to this location as you know because crowds were growing and at times, crowds would overcome Jesus with so many people. He needed a place of retreat.

Luke 22:39 “39 Coming out, He went to the Mount of Olives, as He was accustomed, and His disciples also followed Him.”

Listen to Jesus’ words this day as He retreated to the Garden:

Matthew 26:37–38 “37 And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and He began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed. 38 Then He said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me.””

What I want us to understand this morning is that the God/Man, Jesus Christ, in His humanity wrestled with God’s will just as we do.

Let us be clear: Jesus was never caught off guard of His future events. He knew fully well His impending death was looming.

Matthew 16:21 “21 From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day.”

This was Jesus’ earliest predictions of the cross.

Matthew 17:22–23 “22 Now while they were staying in Galilee, Jesus said to them, “The Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of men, 23 and they will kill Him, and the third day He will be raised up.” And they were exceedingly sorrowful.”

In Matthew 26:21–24 “21 Now as they were eating, He said, “Assuredly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me.” 22 And they were exceedingly sorrowful, and each of them began to say to Him, “Lord, is it I?” 23 He answered and said, “He who dipped his hand with Me in the dish will betray Me. 24 The Son of Man indeed goes just as it is written of Him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had not been born.””

This was just moments before they retreated to Gethsemane. Jesus was feeling the weight of what was coming.

Jesus in His humanity fought the separation from His Heavenly Father. Jesus was wrestling with the grueling death He would have to persevere.

But listen, Jesus “Oh Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.”

I just related that Jesus had just instituted the Lord’s Supper and He shared that cup in verse 28 in the verses before:

Matthew 26:28 “28 For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.”

But the cup Jesus was partaking of was so much more.

It is also referred to as the cup of wrath.

Psalm 11:6 “6 Upon the wicked He will rain coals; Fire and brimstone and a burning wind Shall be the portion of their cup.”

Isaiah 51:17 “17 Awake, awake! Stand up, O Jerusalem, You who have drunk at the hand of the Lord The cup of His fury; You have drunk the dregs of the cup of trembling, And drained it out.”

John the Revelator writes :Revelation 14:10 “10 he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb.”

You ask-what did Jesus’ anguish about? He looked into the wrath of God and He saw all the sins of the world all mixed in the cup and all of God’s judgments would be taken out on His Son.

Did Jesus in His humanity wrestle with God’s will for going to the cross? Certainly.

The question for you this morning is what are you wrestling with? What anguishes you? What are you anxious about? What has taken its toll on you? Are you weary from health issues and have wrestled with God over your condition? Are you weary about relationship issues and wrestled with God over decisions to be made as it relates to spouse or children? Your wrestling with the future of your job and your concerns for your welfare at the company you are with? Do not feel bad. Our dear Lord and Savior wrestled with the future.

2. The Weakness of the Flesh (v. 40-41)

Matthew 26:40–41 “40 Then He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “What! Could you not watch with Me one hour? 41 Watch and pray, lest you enter temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.””

– The disciples’ failure to stay awake

Even though we can see that the disciples failed the Lord in this instance we can learn some things to do and somethings not to do when we are carrying the weight of the world on our shoulders.

At the end of verse 36, Jesus said, “sit here while I go and pray over there.” In the latter part of verse 38, Jesus said, “stay here and watch with me.”

Listen dearly beloved, as we read of Peter, James, and John’s actions we know it to be true, the flesh is weak.

A. Panicked-Jesus did not panic.

We see that Jesus by example never panicked and neither should we.

B. Passive-V. 41 “lest you fall into temptation-do no retreat.

C. Peer & peers

Jesus did call on them and calls on us to peer, gaze, be watchful and look for signs of God’s handiwork as you travel your journey of struggle.

D. Prayer

In this incidence prayer almost marries up to perseverance. Dearly beloved, it was prayer that made Jesus persevere towards His mission. Three times He prayed.

I have made this statement before and please allow me to amend it. I have stated that we should have confidence that once we convey a prayer to the Lord of need, trust Him that it is handled.

Here our very Savior prayed to His heavenly Father in His humanity, guess what, that is us, and He was not settled. That tells me dear brother or sister that if you have some burdensome, keep praying until God’s peace comes over you.

1st Time:

Jesus said, Lord, in verse 39:

Matthew 26:39 “39 He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.””

2nd Time:

Matthew 26:42 “42 Again, a second time, He went away and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if this cup cannot pass away from Me unless I drink it, Your will be done.””

3rd Time:

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

Cannot you hear Jesus speaking to His Father, “Abba Father, you know I love you. I love you with all my soul, heart, and body. Dad, is there any other way? No Son, there is no other way.

Dad, do you mind if we can talk again? Son, you know you can talk to me anytime. Dad, I know I came here to do this mission. I know I came to be about Your business. Lord, I know I came to seek and save that which was lost. Abba Father are you sure there is not another way we can accomplish this. Son, you know I love you. But Son, no there is no other way.

Luke 22:43 “Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him.”

Jesus communed with His Father three times before he was settled on the fact. Prayer caused Jesus to persevere and pray can aid us in persevering.

Prayer settles Us-We find peace in God’s Presence

Philippians 4:4–7 “4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. 6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

Oh, listen dear church family, prayer is the answer to our anxiousness, and it leads to His supernatural presence.

Isaiah 26:3 “3 You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.”

Peace comes when remained fixed on God rather than fixed on our struggle.

Prayer gives us endurance (perseverance)

Isaiah 40:31 “31 But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.”

Prayer calls out for His divine help.

Hebrews 4:16 “16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

Listen church-life is a culmination of battles and blessings. But I know one thing. We can know blessings amid battles.

Ill. Ben-story of His Father-Alzheimer-Dad began forgetting Ben’s mother’s name, later forgot Ben’s name. Called Ben the dad rather than His son. His dad became combative. He had to take his car. It was the most difficult road than went on for 10 years.

James-the brother of Jesus who said His brother was the Savior. The same James that pastored the church in Jerusalem for 30 years. The same James that knew real persecution in the early church. These are his words:

James 1:2–5 “2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.”

3. The Willingness of the Son (v. 42, 46)

– Jesus submits to the Father

Matthew 26:42 “42 Again, a second time, He went away and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if this cup cannot pass away from Me unless I drink it, Your will be done.””

Matthew 26:46 “46 Rise, let us be going. See, My betrayer is at hand.””

Jesus willingly submitted to the Father’s will, embracing the cross with full obedience. His example teaches us that true surrender to God involves trust, a persistent prayer life, and a heart set to obey God.

“Prayer is not overcoming God's reluctance but laying hold of His willingness.” – Martin Luther

Jesus was not changing God's will in Gethsemane; He was aligning Himself to it.

Do you notice a marked difference in Jesus’ prayer in verse 42 from His prayer in verse 39.

There is no mention of the “cup passing from Him.”

Jesus resolved to drink the cup.

May I mention in closing that Jesus commonly went to Gethsemane. Did I not mention that Jesus knew His betrayer was at the Last Supper? Did I not mention that Jesus was all God as well as all man. Jesus knew what Judas was going to do. He knew that Judas knew His habits. he knew that Judas knew He would go to the Mt of Olives to the Garden of Gethsemane. Oh, dearly beloved, in a moment, a small moment in His humanity, He wrestled with God.

But He was determined to be obedient to what God had called Him to do. Jesus was determined to die for your sins and my sins.

The Final Surrender

There is a powerful story about Jim Elliot, a missionary to the Auca Indians of Ecuador. In 1956, he and four other missionaries landed on a remote riverbank, attempting to share the gospel with a tribe known for their violence. Before he left, Jim wrote in his journal:

"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose."

Jim and his companions knew the danger. They had weapons but chose not to use them. On that fateful day, all five men were speared to death by the very people they came to save.

What’s striking is that Jim Elliot knew what was coming, much like Jesus in Gethsemane. He had counted the cost. He had prayed. He had wrestled with God's will. And in the end, he was willing to go.

Fast forward a few years, and Jim's wife, Elisabeth Elliot, along with other missionary widows, went back to that same tribe. The men who had murdered their husbands came to faith in Christ. The gospel took root in that village, and lives were transformed.

Jim Elliot's willingness to lay down his life echoes the willingness of Jesus in Gethsemane. Jesus prayed, He surrendered, and then He rose up to face His betrayer. He walked toward the cross, knowing the joy set before Him (Hebrews 12:2). And because of His obedience, salvation is available to us all.

Final Challenge

Jesus showed us that true victory comes through surrender. What is God asking you to surrender today? It is a dream, a comfort, a relationship, or even a personal struggle. Like Jim Elliot, like Jesus in the garden, will you trust God enough to say, "Your will be done"?

Pray, trust and surrender, and rise in obedience —because the world needs to see a church that follows Christ, no matter the cost.