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284. In The Garden Of Gethsemane

Jeremiah 17:12-18, Matthew 26:36-46, Mark 14:32-42, Luke 22:39-46, John 18:1,
Key Verse: “Father, if You are willing, take this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done.”
Matthew 26:39, Mark 14:36, Luke 22:42

For me, this is the Holiest night of the year. We usually remember it, in the Christian church, as Maundy Thursday. “Maundy,” is Latin for “command.” In this case, the “command" referred to is Jesus’ new command in John 13:34-35, that we Love one another, as He has demonstrated His love for us. This doesn’t just mean washing one another’s feet, but includes all that is to follow. During this service we often take communion together, as Jesus did with His disciples, and then, in some way, reflect on the events that followed that meal in which Jesus lived out that love. Jesus’ life on this earth was a demonstration for us of what submission and obedient love to the Father would look like. Now, this is the night that Jesus displays ultimate submission and obedience to the Father’s Will by choosing to suffer and die for you and me.

Jesus knew what was coming. Often, a couple will take birthing classes to prepare them for child birth, but in truth, they have no way of knowing what it will really be like until they have had the experience. A soldier can prepare for war, but the reality is far different, and usually far more than any preparation could have foretold. Jesus knew what was coming. He knew the agony that He would be enduring as a man. He knew that God the Father would look away. He knew that He would experience a loneliness beyond what we humans could ever imagine. The One would be torn. Is it any wonder that He prayed, “If there’s any other way…” Yet, He knew that there was not. He knew that if He didn’t, that you and I would be destined to hell forever. He chose this. Remember, love is an action word.

Contrast Jesus’ fervent prayer to the disciples. “Simon,” He said to Peter, “Are you asleep? Could you not keep watch for one hour? Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The Spirit is willing, but the body is weak.” (Mark 14:37-38) There was a cosmic battle brewing, but only Jesus was aware.

If Peter had prayed instead of slept, might he have resisted the temptations to deny Jesus that would occur later? How often do we give in to our bodily urges rather than fight on our knees for the strength we need to resist satan’s snares?

Jesus prayed and gained the strength to go to the cross. The disciples slept and fell away. Jesus wrestled in agony and rose with resolve. The disciples slept and rose dazed and confused. “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and love and self-discipline.” (2 Timothy 1:7) Jesus used the power of the gift of that Spirit to move forward for us. The disciples slept, giving in to bodily desires and lost control of themselves.

When we think we can’t, the Spirit is with us so that we can. The same Spirit that gave Jesus the ability to endure the cross is within us to endure more than we ever could without Him. The secret is prayer. In prayer we go before God’s throne. In prayer, the Holy Spirit brings God and man together. There is still a cosmic battle brewing today. The battle is over lost souls, but also over you, to draw you away from God’s purpose for you and into temptation. “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.” (Matthew 26:41) He knows that we are weak, but in Him, we can be made strong.

Hymn: Go To Dark Gethsemane more traditional

 Now if you really want a challenge: “Go To Dark Gethsemane”  with cool rap!

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