Jesus and the disciples in Gethsemane
After the Last Supper, Jesus and his disciples leave Jerusalem and go out to the Mount of Olives, to a place called Gethsemane. This moment represents the final quiet hours of peace before Jesus' path to the cross.
Matthew 26:36-38
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 And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38 Then he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me.”
Jesus knows what's about to happen, and what he chooses to do in his final moments with his disciples, is pray.
John doesn't record the prayer in Gethsemane like Matthew, Mark or Luke. Instead, we get top see the prayer that happens just before they even arrive at the garden, The High Priestly Prayer.
John 17
17 Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. 18 As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. 19 And for their sake I consecrate myself,[c] that they also may be sanctified in truth.
20 “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, 21 that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, 23 I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me. 24 Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world. 25 O righteous Father, even though the world does not know you, I know you, and these know that you have sent me. 26 I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.”
Before Jesus withdrew to pray for himself, he took the time to pray for us.
Jesus' Prayer & Distress in the Garden
The meaning of the name "Gethsemane" is important and symbolic: it comes from a Hebrew phrase meaning "oil press". Jesus is facing deep emotional, and spiritual anguish and is lifting all of those emotions up to the Father in prayer.
Mark 14:35-39
35 And going a little farther, he fell on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. 36 And he said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” 37 And he came and found them sleeping, and he said to Peter, “Simon, are you asleep? Could you not watch one hour? 38 Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 39 And again he went away and prayed, saying the same words. 40 And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were very heavy, and they did not know what to answer him
Luke 22:43-44
43 And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. 44 And being in agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.
Jesus prays the same thing 3 times - "Remove this cup from me". This is probably one of the most vulnerable moments we see in the life of Jesus.
The Disciples Fall Asleep
Matthew 26:40-41
40 And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter, “So, could you not watch with me one hour? 41 Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
Luke 22:45
45 And when he rose from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping for sorrow, 46 and he said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Rise and pray that you may not enter into temptation.”
Each time Jesus returns to the disciples after praying, he finds them asleep. Luke goes out of his way to explain that they were "sleeping for sorrow". Jesus reminds them each time, to "watch and pray".
When we're overwhelmed and don't know how to respond, it's easy to shut down or focus on the wrong things to distract us from the real issue, but Jesus urges us to watch, and pray.
Jesus' Example of Honest Prayer
Mark 14:35
35 And going a little farther, he fell on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. 36 And he said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.”
We need to remember that It's okay to pray things like "God, I don't want this". "Father, if it's possible, take this away". but it doesn't end there - it ends with trust. "Not my will, but yours be done".
That’s the model Jesus gives us. We often pray for our circumstances to change, but at times, prayer is where we need to ask for our hearts to trust God when those circumstances don't change.
We can trust that the same Father who strengthened and ministered Jesus in the garden is still faithful to meet his people when they come to him in honest prayer.
