The Prayer in the Garden
32 Then they came to a place which was named Gethsemane; and He said to His disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” 33 And He took Peter, James, and John with Him, and He began to be troubled and deeply distressed. 34 Then He said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch.”
35 He went a little farther, and 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. Take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will.”
37 Then He came and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “Simon, are you sleeping? Could you not watch one hour? 38 Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
39 Again He went away and prayed, and spoke the same words. 40 And when He returned, He found them asleep again, for their eyes were heavy; and they did not know what to answer Him.
41 Then He came the third time and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? It is enough! The hour has come; behold, the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. 42 Rise, let us be going. See, My betrayer is at hand.”
Was Jesus right to be upset because they were sleeping? After all, it says, “He found them asleep again, for their eyes were heavy…” If they were tired it makes sense that they would fall asleep!
But when we look at the timing of it all, in context, we know that this was just before Jesus was to be betrayed and ultimately crucified.
So then we could turn it around and say, how could the disciples sleep while Jesus was in torment of spirit, struggling with the will of God? Sensing the immensity of the moment, Jesus said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch.” So they were given instruction AND told how Jesus was feeling at the time.
Not to mention all the other times that Jesus had directly eluded to His betrayal and death…
So… right or wrong??? And on who’s side???
The reality is, that the disciples did not, could not, and didn’t want to understand all this talk about death. They didn’t understand it because otherwise they would’ve been praying! They couldn’t understand it because nothing like this had ever happened before! And, they didn’t want to understand it because… well… why would you want to think that the person you’ve given up everything to follow is about to be killed and you’ll be left alone? That’s just silly…. Especially seeing as He’s the ‘Messiah’!
There is a proverb which describes this moment well,
Proverbs 14:10, “The heart knows its own bitterness, And a stranger does not share its joy.”
Ultimately, Jesus had to face the cross alone. This bitter truth is also a comfort to us when we are also faced with the crazy situations of life.
Hebrews 4:15, “For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.”
How many times have you been faced with something of great magnitude and consequence to you, and nobody seems to get it? They can’t feel the pain. They don’t know the mental torment you’re going through. Nobody has any idea what this means to you and how it’s going to affect everything in your world!
This is when YOU need to ‘watch & pray’. Notice that Jesus didn’t just say, ‘Oh hang it, it’s gonna be a big day tomorrow, I mean, with dying and all…. let’s all get some rest!’ No, He went back and continued praying! While those closest to Him slept and were ignorant of His pain and the intensity of the moment in which they were… He prayed.
Notice also that Jesus’ prayer was only partially answered. At first he asks for this ‘cup’ to be taken from Him, but then for his Fathers will to be done. Well, He got the second part of His prayer! I’m sure, in some ways He would’ve preferred the first part to be answered or else He wouldn’t have prayed it.
We all know those prayers… ‘Oh God get me outta here!!’ And then in a quieter tone, ‘But Lord, Your will be done.’ Hoping that His will is the same as ours…
In all of this, we must learn the lesson to watch & pray over our circumstances and perhaps to use it as a lesson to also be a bit more mindful of others in their distress.
“Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.”
Well done Graham. The episode in the Garden ids one of the mysteries of the Cross. The disciples were young men and fishermen used to all night shifts on Lake Galilee…. so ther’s was not physical exhaustion. You are right in saying their fatigue issued from their 1) denial of death and also that which was pursuant to it 2) depression we must also add that the devil was present in great power, so there was demonic oppression upon them all. Your sublect was well treated and well written. Do another
Thank you!
This is true of the demonic oppression that was present at the time! I know we can tend to over-spiritualize some things that happen to us in life (a flat tire, lost the car keys) and yet at the same time, under-spiritualize things as well… Can be just as big a trap I think.