Jesus knew the end was near, and He shared this with the disciples. At about the same time, the religious leaders who opposed Jesus including the high priest began to plot a way to arrest and kill Jesus.
Jesus prayed: “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.” (Matthew 26:42 NIV)
Much like the Psalms of David where we see David being honest about how he feels and honestly sharing his struggle with what He was facing only to end the Psalm with something like: “Even though I do not like what I am facing, I will trust you.”
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Matthew 26 Notes:
Jesus knewthe end was near, and He shared this with the disciples. At about the same time, the religious leaders who opposed Jesus including the high priest began to plot a way to arrest and kill Jesus.
Jesus was anointed by a woman when he was in Bethany which he shared was preparing him for his burial.
The disciples were upset, especially Judas who decided to betray Jesus and turn him into the authorities.
Jesus made arrangements for what we call the Last Supper where he predicted he would be betrayed, disowned, and abandoned by his disciples. During that meal he introduced a practice called the Lord’s Supper or communion which continues among believers to this day as Jesus tells us the bread represented his body given up for humanity and the cup represented the blood he shed on the cross to bring forgiveness to all who ask.
Jesus takes Peter, James, and John with him to the Garden of Gethsemane and asks them to pray with him as he was “overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death.” (Matthew 26:38)
The disciples with Jesus fell asleep and He said: “You cannot even stay up with me for an hour! The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” And he was right because they fell asleep once again even after what Jesus said.
Jesus prayed: “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.” (Matthew 26:42 NIV)
Much like the Psalms of David where we see David being honest about how he feels and honestly sharing his struggle with what He was facing only to end the Psalm with something like: “Even though I do not like what I am facing, I will trust you.”
I have been to the Garden of Gethsemane. I was struck how from the Garden you can see the wall around the city and the East gate which the Scriptures predict will be the way the Messiah will enter the city when He comes to reign.
It must have been both overwhelming and comforting for Jesus to see where He will enter the city at His Second Coming. But this time, Jesus came to give His life.
By the way, that gate has been sealed when the city was under the control of Muslims because they do not want the Jewish Messiah to enter. By the way, I don’t think that will stop Him.
Do you pray?
Are you willing but the body or willpower is weak?
Do you list out all the things you want God to do for you?
Have you found yourself in a figurative Garden of Gethsemane – overwhelmed with something in your life? Are you willing to pray like Jesus – being honest with God about how you feel and what overwhelms you, yet you’re willing to follow God’s guidance whatever He may be calling you to do?
