Journey to the Cross...pray

Matthew 26: 36-46

Matthew 26:36–46 ESV

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.”

Jesus was about to go through the last moment of freedom here on earth. He was full of sorrow and trouble (v.37)

Jesus was going to experience rejection and suffering.

Tell me about your response in moments of rejection or suffering?

Jesus’ response was to go and pray.

But Jesus asked his disciples to watch...

He was crushed by grief…extremely sad (even though he knew the story)

He knew that in spite of the the upcoming victory…he would experience death…absence of life....

He wanted them to watch:

to stay with..and be alert (fire watch)

In our moments of weakness is when we need others to be around us…watching, praying, interceding, intervening.

to be awakened

to share with him (burden share)

Who is God calling you to stay and watch with?

And then he traveled a little farther alone..

It is important for us to be alone at times…in prayer

confessing....

listening...

praising...

interceding...

responding...

Notice his posture..his position....

Jesus fell on his face.

prayer sometimes in messy....

it’s not clean and neat…

it can be raw and emotional...

it is honest...

When was the last time you spent in honest prayer with God?

It was Jesus’ humility that gives value to his death.

His prayer:

English Standard Version Chapter 26

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.”

This was his surrender…

You can sense it....you can feel it....you can see it...

Luke’s gospel goes as far to say that he prayed in agony and sweat became like great drops of blood falling down on the ground.

English Standard Version Chapter 22

43 And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. 44 And being in agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.

Luke even adds that there was an angel…strengthening him during this time.

the more he was in agony the more he prayed (even with the supernatural presence he was still in the struggle)

Our humility propels us to greater dependency and intimacy with the Father

Then for what every reason, during this time of prayer, Jesus returns to the disciples and find them ....sleeping (do not judge)

Why would they be asleep during this time?

It was late...

They did not realize the gravity of the situation and the seriousness of Jesus’ sorrow and agony

Jesus ask them to watch AND pray.

Not just once, but three times

We are called not just to be a guard for people…but to intercede as well.

We need to invited others to intercede for us..

We should take this role seriously.

Who is asking to you to watch and pray AND who do you need to ask to watch and pray with you?

It takes strength....it takes humility

It’s not out of fear, but a desire to follow the will of God

The journey and path lead to freedom and life.

He gives ability to endure and overcome the obstacles ahead

The Father give us the ability to respond in a way that reflects the Kingdom and His will so that His glory is made known.

Let us pray....(at our homes....in our heart…aloud....together..)

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