D3: The Prayer in the Garden

How would you respond if you know something terrible is about to happen and you can’t do anything about it? What if you are able to do but don’t know how to? I have this passage that helps me not lose hope.

To me, this is one of the closest moments we can get to Jesus’ humanity and emotions like agony and sorrow. Let’s read today’s passage together:

Mark 14:32–42 NIV

32 They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” 33 He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. 34 “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death,” he said to them. “Stay here and keep watch.” 35 Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. 36 “Abba, Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” 37 Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Simon,” he said to Peter, “are you asleep? Couldn’t you keep watch for one hour? 38 Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 39 Once more he went away and prayed the same thing. 40 When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. They did not know what to say to him. 41 Returning the third time, he said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough! The hour has come. Look, the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. 42 Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!”

A few things that come to mind today:

Why is Jesus filled with sorrow and distress?

If you know what you are about to endure, why be filled with sorrow?

“If there’s a way, take this cup away from me”

Jesus being a 100% god and 100% man, still submitted to the will of the Father.

I think that Jesus could have easily stopped the course of misery and agony. Even while being tested by the Devil in the beginning of his ministry, this was nothing compared to the pain He was going through in the garden.

Still, there was a reason why He stuck to the “Nevertheless…your will be done”

Now, you might say, He asked his disciples to go with Him. Was there an escape plan? I think the opposite. He wanted them to witness and pray together. Not FOR HIM, but WITH HIM.

If God is love, and He wants what is best for us - why should i reject His cup?

The gospel of John speaks about unity, just like the Father and the Son, so should we have the same unity.

Lesson: Jesus submitted his desires, his needs, his emotions to the will of the Father. Not MY will but YOUR will be done.

Q: How does this prayer encourage you? Does this prayer change you in some way? Do you think of Jesus’ words when you pray to the Father, “Not my will but your will be done?”

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for your life. I am thankful that we get a chance to read this prayer and be encouraged.