Agony in the Garden
Matthew 26:36-46 (NLT)
Matthew 26:36-46 (NLT)
Then Jesus went with them to the olive grove called Gethsemane, and he said, “Sit here while I go over there to pray.” He took Peter and Zebedee’s two sons, James and John, and he became anguished and distressed. He told them, “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”
He went on a little farther and bowed with his face to the ground, praying, “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.”
Then he returned to the disciples and found them asleep. He said to Peter, “Couldn’t you watch with me even one hour? Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak!”
Then Jesus left them a second time and prayed, “My Father! If this cup cannot be taken away unless I drink it, your will be done.” When he returned to them again, he found them sleeping, for they couldn’t keep their eyes open.
So he went to pray a third time, saying the same things again. Then he came to the disciples and said, “Go ahead and sleep. Have your rest. But look—the time has come. The Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Up, let’s be going. Look, my betrayer is here!”
GOING DEEPER:
1. The anguish and grief are overwhelming. Jesus’ soul is being crushed under the weight of all He is about to endure. Though he keeps His friends close, He goes off by Himself to pray. Three times He asks the Father if there could be another way. Three times He surrenders His will to the Father’s. What in your life do you need to turn over to the Lord? Will you follow Jesus’ example and do so today, trusting God’s plan in this situation?
2. As you read the other gospel accounts of Jesus’ time in the garden (see references below), note any additional details you glean from them.
FUTHER READING:
Mark 14:32-42; Luke 22:39-46
