Gethsemane | Matthew 26:36-56

Jesus Prays in Gethsemane

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 He took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee and began to be grieved and agitated. 38 Then he said to them, “My soul is deeply grieved, even to death; remain here, and stay awake with me.” 39 And going a little farther, he threw himself on the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me, yet not what I want but what you want.” 40 Then he came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and he said to Peter, “So, could you not stay awake with me one hour? 41 Stay awake and pray that you may not come into the time of trial; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 42 Again he went away for the second time and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.” 43 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. 45 Then he came to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? Now the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46 Get up, let us be going. Look, my betrayer is at hand.”

The Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus

47 While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, arrived; with him was a large crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the elders of the people. 48 Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “The one I will kiss is the man; arrest him.” 49 At once he came up to Jesus and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him. 50 Jesus said to him, “Friend, do what you are here to do.” Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and arrested him. 51 Suddenly one of those with Jesus put his hand on his sword, drew it, and struck the slave of the high priest, cutting off his ear. 52 Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place, for all who take the sword will die by the sword. 53 Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels? 54 But how then would the scriptures be fulfilled, which say it must happen in this way?” 55 At that hour Jesus said to the crowds, “Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest me as though I were a rebel? Day after day I sat in the temple teaching, and you did not arrest me. 56 But all this has taken place, so that the scriptures of the prophets may be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples deserted him and fled.

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In our Lenten journey, we have come to the end of Holy week and are entering the hardest time for Jesus. He is going to face betrayal from one of his friends and ridicule from the soldiers. He is going to be whipped, beaten and have to carry his own cross to the place where he will be put to death. Before all of that happens, Jesus goes to the garden of Gethsemane with some of his friends to pray. He asks his friends to stay awake and be alert while he goes off to pray and ask his Father to take this cup from him. Jesus went back to his friends and discovered that they were sleeping. At this point, Jesus is alone in the sense that his friends could not stay awake and God, his father, could not take the cup away from Jesus.

He was surrounded by people, but he felt alone. Sometimes when I am in a crowded room where I only know a few people, I feel alone. It is not a good feeling, and I am sure it wasn’t a good feeling for Jesus. He knew what was coming. He knew he needed to die on the cross for our salvation and so our sins would be forgiven. 

Sometimes we go to pray with Abba and give him praise, prayer and tell him what we need. We don’t always get what we think we need and sometimes we get what we ask for but not when we expect it. It shows up hours, days, weeks, months or even years after we had asked for it. Friends sometimes don’t know what to do or what to say. Sometimes they disappear from our lives and come back into our lives later or not at all. I guess what I am trying to say is that we need to try and forgive them. We need to love and pray for our friends and family even when they disappoint us. 

In his ministry, Jesus gives us hope and love. In these last three days of holy week, let’s open our hearts, minds and spirit and walk with him in his journey to the cross.

Prayer:

“The Light of God Surrounds You;

The Love of God  Enfolds you; 

The Power of God Protects you; 

The Presence of God watches over you,

Wherever you are, God is and all is well.”

In Jesus name. Amen

Dcn. Vicky Lee Strauss

Pinecrest Alumn