Please read all of Matthew 26:17–75
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 he 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 watch3 with me.” 39 And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” 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.” 42 Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.” 43 And 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 again.
In the midst of the most heart-wrenching turmoil Jesus choses to withdraw and pray. He doesn’t need crowds to boost His self esteem, stroke His ego and cheer Him on. He doesn’t choose to spend His last days on earth recklessly. He wants to be alone with His Father – in prayer. The anxious apprehension is real (sorrowful and troubled). The (human tempting) desire to escape it – is real too. Add to that the disappointment of being left alone, deserted even by the inner circle…Yet above all this pain is a submissive and lovingly obedient desire to do the will of the Father and fulfil His mission. An act of ultimate surrender for our own salvation.
A few question for reflection & action:
- Is prayer my ‘go to’ place in the midst of hardships or do I chose false shortcuts and substitutes?
- How much am I ready to submit to God’s will – even when it hurts my feelings and disturbs my comfort?
ON THE WAY 