Day 4: Gethsemane
Matthew 26:36-46 (NIV) “Then Jesus went with His disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and He said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with Him, and He began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then He said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with Me.” Going a little farther, He fell with His face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.” 37 38 39 40 41 42 When He came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. So He left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing. Then He returned to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour has come, and the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!”
After the Last Supper in Jerusalem, Jesus headed out to a quiet place to pray. Here in the Garden of Gethsemane, He faced the biggest challenge of His life. His soul was overwhelmed as He prayed for the Father’s help. It is here in this place that He chose crucifixion. Judas had also made his choice – to betray Jesus and lead the soldiers to arrest Him.
IN A NUTSHELL
Jesus prayed, ‘My Father, if this cup of suffering cannot be taken away unless I drink it, your will be done.’ He seems to have experienced what is scientifically known as ‘hematohidrosis’ - sweating blood without having been injured. ‘In great anguish he prayed even more fervently; his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.’ (Luke 22.44)
The account rules out the possibility that Jesus, the divine Son of God, had not truly been a flesh and blood human. Fully human, He felt inner conflict, pain and the full weight of human sin. His body knew it. His soul knew it. Feeling the human desire to save His life rather than to sacrifice it, Jesus managed to overcome. How? He took his sorrow and overwhelming pain to His Father.
All our hopes and the promises of God hang in this moment of prayer, when He said, “Father, not My will but Your will be done in My life.” If Jesus were to let human desire win, then all hope would have died. And that’s why this should be part of our daily prayer – “Your will be done, not mine”
At His weakest, Jesus trusted God’s will more than His own. He trusted that God would bring good from the worst of suffering. God’s judgment had to be poured into Jesus’ cup so that God's life could be poured into ours.
PRAYER
Father in Heaven, on this day, as I think about the difficult moments Jesus faced in Gethsemane, I am moved by His deep suffering and His complete acceptance of Your will. In the garden, facing upcoming pain and betrayal, Your Son chose to obey, leading us to salvation.
Lord, help me to face the challenges and trials in my own life with the same courage and submission. When I feel overwhelmed, remind me of Jesus’ words, “Not as I will, but as You will.” Teach me to trust in Your perfect plan, even when the path is difficult and the outcome is uncertain.
As I continue to fast and pray, let the spirit of Gethsemane inspire me to seek You in my moments of distress. Strengthen my resolve to remain vigilant in prayer, resisting the temptations that seek to pull me away from You.
Grant me the grace to accept Your will, to embrace it fully, knowing that beyond the pain lies victory. Fill me with peace, knowing that You are always with me, guiding and comforting me through every trial. In the name of Jesus, I pray, Amen.
APPLICATION
Just as Jesus was vulnerable in expressing His fears to the Father, encourage yourself to be honest in your prayers. Share your deepest worries and fears with God, knowing He listens and cares about your struggles.
Pray for the strength to accept God's will, even when it leads you through uncomfortable or painful situations. Ask God to help you say, "Not my will, but Yours be done," in various aspects of your life, trusting that He leads you towards your ultimate good.
In your moment of pressing, do as Jesus did. Take it all to your heavenly Father and trust Him with everything, even your life. He is working good even in the worst of things.
Read on to find out more about Jesus’ spiritual battle:
Knowing all along what’s coming – (Matthew 16:21-28)
Conflict, decision and consequences – (Mark 14:32-50).