Jesus in The Garden of Gethsemane
July 2, 2019
Commentary
Jesus knew that before the day was done He would die, and not just die but die a very painful death. Oh sure, he was God and He could make it so it wouldn’t hurt, but that wasn’t a part of the plan. Dying would be the easy part and Jesus Christ, the son of God knew that before the sun had set one more time that he would offer up the supreme sacrifice for the world. At a place called Gethsemane, which was an olive grove located on the side of the Mount of Olives, Jesus asked eight of His disciples to wait. He then took Peter, James and John and went into the olive grove where He became very distressed and said “My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death” (vv. 32-34).
He then asked His three most trusted disciples to remain there and watch while he went a little further and prayed. In agony of soul He fell to the ground and prayed “that if it were possible, the hour might pass from Him” (v.35). He was dreading the moment when His Father’s face would be turned away from Him and He would be made a sin offering for us. However at the same time He said “Nevertheless not what I will but what thou wilt” (v. 36).
When He returned He found his three disciples fast asleep (v. 37). Peter who had boasted that he was ready to die with Jesus could not even stand guard one hour. He then told them “Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation” and then He went back to pray (vv. 38-39). When he returned to the disciples He once more found them asleep. When He returned the third time He said “sleep on and take your rest” (vv. 40-41) which could be better translated in the form of a question;"Are you still sleeping and taking your rest?” Then he said “We must go because the betrayer is coming” (v. 42).
Application
It was Julius Caesar who said, “It is easier to find men who will volunteer to die, than to find those who are willing to endure pain with patience.” I don’t anticipate going through hard times, but Lord, help me to be a person who, if necessary, is willing to suffer for you.
Mark 14:32– 42 (NET)
32 Then they went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” 33 He took Peter, James, and John with him, and became very troubled and distressed. 34 He said to them, “My soul is deeply grieved, even to the point of death. Remain here and stay alert.” 35 Going a little farther, he threw himself to the ground and prayed that if it were possible the hour would pass from him. 36 He said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Take this cup away from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” 37 Then he came and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “Simon, are you sleeping? Couldn’t you stay awake for one hour? 38 Stay awake and pray that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 39 He went away again and prayed the same thing. 40 When he came again he found them sleeping; they could not keep their eyes open. And they did not know what to tell him. 41 He came a third time and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough of that! The hour has come. Look, the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 42 Get up, let us go. Look! My betrayer is approaching!”
Illustration: Suffering May be The Anticipation
The hardest part of suffering may be the anticipation. You know how you felt the last time you had to go to the dentist to have a filling, or a tooth pulled. You sat in the waiting room imagining how much it was going to hurt, you could almost feel the prick of the needle as they froze your gums, and as you heard the sound of the drill coming from the office it was as if it was in your mouth. Your blood pressure went up, your palms got sweaty, your pulse increased. (Lou Nicholes – Missionary/Author).