Jesus Prays in Gethsemane
February 3, 2020
Commentary
This passage shows three characteristics of Jesus (1) Realism (v. 31): He foresaw what would inevitably happen and yet he went on. (2) Confidence (v. 32): Jesus always saw beyond the Cross. He was every bit as certain of the glory as He was of the suffering. (3) Sympathy (vv. 33-35): Jesus knew his disciples would abandon Him in his hour of greatest need, but He did not condemn them. Jesus knew men at their worst and still loved them.
Peter’s fault was over-confidence in himself. He knew that he loved Jesus (that was never in doubt), and he thought that he could face any situation which might arise. We shall be safe only when we replace our confidence with humility which knows its weakness, and which depends not on itself but the help of Christ.
Gethsemane was a lush garden east of the city of Jerusalem near the slopes of the Mount of Olives (v. 36). Jesus often went there. On his final night He took Peter, James, and John further into the garden (v. 37). Isaiah called the coming Messiah “a Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief” (Isa. 53:3), and in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus faced sorrow like He had never known. Truly, “He was in all points tempted as we are” (Heb. 4:15). He asked these three to keep watch while he separated Himself from them to pray (v. 38). The “cup” represents the wrath of God against sin, which was soon to be placed on Him, on the cross. The sin of the world was poured on Christ as He became “sin for us” (II Cor. 5:21). He submitted His will to the will of His Father (v. 39).
Jesus found the three asleep (v. 40). He woke them and reprimanded them for not watching and praying. Because they were not prayerfully watching, they were not prepared for what was about to happen. Jesus encouraged them to watch and pray but at the same time He acknowledged the weakness of the human flesh (v. 41). He went off by Himself to pray two more times but each time He returned He found them asleep (vv. 42-46).
Application
It is easy to say that I am devoted to Christ, but this is meaningful only after it has been tested in the crucible of persecution. I hope that my faith is strong enough to stand up under intense trial.
Matthew 26:30–46 (NET)
30 After singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
31 Then Jesus said to them, “This night you will all fall away because of me, for it is written: ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’
32 But after I am raised, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.” 33 Peter said to him, “If they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away!” 34 Jesus said to him, “I tell you the truth, on this night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” 35 Peter said to him, “Even if I must die with you, I will never deny you.” And all the disciples said the same thing.
36 Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to the disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” 37 He took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and became anguished and distressed. 38 Then he said to them, “My soul is deeply grieved, even to the point of death. Remain here and stay awake with me.” 39 Going a little farther, he threw himself down with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if possible, let this cup pass from me! Yet not what I will, but what you will.” 40 Then he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. He said to Peter, “So, couldn’t you stay awake with me for one hour? 41 Stay awake and pray that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 42 He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if this cup cannot be taken away unless I drink it, your will must be done.” 43 He came again and found them sleeping; they could not keep their eyes open. 44 So leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same thing once more. 45 Then he came to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour is approaching, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46 Get up, let us go. Look! My betrayer is approaching!”