Matthew 26: 36-46
Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”
Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”
Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping, “Could you men not keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”
He then went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.”
When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing.
Then he returned to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour is near, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us go! Here comes my betrayer!”
A Thought
Jesus celebrated the Passover meal with his disciples. Then he continues with the giving of thanks for the bread and wine, (beginning of “The Lord’s Supper”), telling his disciples to take and eat the bread and to drink from the cup of his blood covenant. They are told of his betrayal. Jesus takes his disciples, the ones that had witnessed his transfiguration, to the Garden of Gethsemane where they witness his prayers to God the Father. Is it possible Satan was trying to take the life of Christ before he could accomplish the death of the cross for our redemption? His soul was overwhelmed even unto death. In agony after asking God three times if possible to remove His cup, Jesus submits to God’s will. Christ warns his disciples (and also us) to watch and pray that we do not fall into temptation because even when we are willing to do the right thing our bodies are weak. Now the hour is near. Jesus awakens his disciples, “Rise, let us go! Here comes my betrayer!”
Our Prayer
Father, Oh! The price our sin cost you and your Son! Help us to always remember the pain and agony that was endured for each of us. We repent. Help us to always watch and pray that we are not tempted by the desires of our flesh. Forgive us. Heal our land. We ask in Jesus’ name, amen.
