Jesus prays at Gethsemane

Jesus prepares for his crucifixion.

Matthew 26:36–46 ESV

36 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.” 37 And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38 Then he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me.” 39 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.” 40 And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter, “So, could you not watch with me one hour? 41 Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 42 Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.” 43 And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. 44 So, leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words again. 45 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. 46 Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand.”

When we read this passage, what is the situation in this verse?

Gethsemane means Oil press. This is a place where they press Olives to get Olive oil. Interesting that this is where Jesus goes when he feels the most pressure and stress. Jesus was going to give up his life so that humanity. Just like an olive that is crushed so that beautiful oil may flow out.

Jesus knew that he was about to be crucified

Jesus was with his disciples

He told them to wait for him while he went to pray

Why did Jesus go to pray? Jesus was feeling sorrowful and troubled

Why was Jesus sorrowful and troubled? He was sorrowful because he knew that he was going to be tortured and crucified. Being 100% human, Jesus didn’t want to suffer and be tortured. Just like us no one wants to be crucified. What if you knew that you are going to be crucified tomorrow? How would you feel. we would feel very sad, we will think about our loved ones, we would be worried about the pain. But most of all, Jesus knew that he was going to be separated from God. When Jesus died upon the cross the father turned away from Jesus . Why? Because Jesus took on himself the sins of all humanity when he was nailed to the cross. God the father turned away from the sins of all humanity which Jesus bore on the cross. Jesus who had no sin took on our sin. So that we may know God.

Then he took Peter ,James and John and told them that he is very sorrowful till the point of death. And he told them to be there with him while he went to pray. why did he bring Peter, James and John? They were the closet to Jesus and just like Jesus had always taught by sharing his life. Jesus was showing them his struggles and how Jesus responded in times of hardship. Jesus was about to die and what did he do? The disciples saw what he did. They also saw how much Jesus loved the disciples and what it cost Jesus.

Then Jesus went a little farther and fell on his face and prayed and said if it is possible, let this cup pass from me. But not Jesus will be done but God’s will be done.

Jesus calls God his father and pleads with the Father to take away this cup from him. What is this cup? This cup is not only the suffering and death that was coming but it is the wrath of God on him.

This is the first prayer that Jesus made. Then he came to the disciples and what were they doing? They were sleeping. And Jesus told them to watch and pray so that they will not fall into temptation. What did Jesus mean by this? Does he mean that they need to watch and pray so that they will not sleep?

It is not just that. But Jesus knew what was going to happen next. They will all reject Jesus on that night. Jesus was asking them to pray and be alert so that they will fall into temptation and reject Jesus. Even at a time when Jesus was facing his own trials, Jesus was looking out for his disciples and the trial that they will be facing.

He then says that the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. The disciples wanted to be with Jesus and accompany him through this time of trial, but their flesh is weak. Just like peter who says that he will die for Jesus, but when it came the time for him to stand up for Jesus, he rejects Jesus. many times we have very good intentions, but without prayer and focus, our flesh will be weak.

Then Jesus went back and prayed again and said again if this must be done, then I will obey you God. Then he went to his disciples again and he found them sleeping again and he returned to pray again and prayed the same prayer again.

Then he went and told the disciples to sleep now because the come will come very soon when Jesus will be captured and crucified. The disciples had lost their chance to pray and strengthen themselves.

What can we learn from what Jesus had gone through in the garden?

Jesus experienced what it was like to struggle to give up his life for the will of God. He struggled to go to the cross. But how did Jesus respond to his trial?

Jesus prayed to God. Did Jesus pray just one time? How many times did Jesus pray? 3 times. As Jesus prayed again and again, Jesus made the decision to obey God. And each time Jesus prayed and Jesus said not my will but yours be done. As Jesus prayed Jesus found strength and and focus as he prayed to God and saw the end that God has planned.

Jesus knew that God will carry him through and that God will have the victory in the end. Jesus knew that humanity will be save if he did not give up.

How do we respond in times of our trials. What can we learn from the example of Jesus?