Jesus in The Garden of Gethsemane

Mark 14:32–42
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The hardest part of suffering may be the anticipation. You know how you felt the last time you had to go to the dentist to have a filling, or a tooth pulled. You sat in the waiting room imagining how much it was going to hurt, you could almost feel the prick of the needle as th … More

Anticipation

Jesus knew that before the day was done He would die, and not just die but die a very painful death. Oh sure, he was God and He could make it so it wouldn’t hurt, but that wasn’t a part of the plan. Dying would be the easy part and Jesus Christ, the son of God knew that before the sun had set one more time that he would offer up the supreme sacrifice for the world. At a place called Gethsemane, which was an olive grove located on the side of the Mount of Olives, Jesus asked eight of His disciples to wait. He then took Peter, James and John and went into the olive grove where He became very distressed and said “My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death” (vv. 32-34).

He then asked His three most trusted disciples to remain there and watch while he went a little further and prayed. In agony of soul He fell to the ground and prayed “that if it were possible, the hour might pass from Him” (v.35). He was dreading the moment when His Father’s face would be turned away from Him and He would be made a sin offering for us. However at the same time He said “Nevertheless not what I will but what thou wilt” (v. 36).

When He returned He found his three disciples fast asleep (v. 37). Peter who had boasted that he was ready to die with Jesus could not even stand guard one hour. He then told them “Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation” and then He went back to pray (vv. 38-39). When he returned to the disciples He once more found them asleep. When He returned the third time He said “sleep on and take your rest” (vv. 40-41) which could be better translated in the form of a question;"Are you still sleeping and taking your rest?” Then he said “We must go because the betrayer is coming” (v. 42).

Application

It was Julius Caesar who said, “It is easier to find men who will volunteer to die, than to find those who are willing to endure pain with patience.” I don’t anticipate going through hard times, but Lord, help me to be a person who, if necessary, is willing to suffer for you.

Mark 14:32-42 (English Standard Version)

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