JESUS’ PRAYER IN THE GARDEN

Watch! Jesus has come to the Garden of Gethsemane… a place where He often came to pray. It was still, quiet, and the late-night air was chilly. Leaving Peter, James, and John, Jesus advanced further into the Garden to have a private conversation with His Father (Matthew 26:36-46; Mark 14:32-42; Luke 22:39-46).

“A stone’s throw” (Luke 22:41) away from the others, Jesus “fell facedown and prayed” (Matthew 26:39). “Being in anguish, he prayed more fervently, and his sweat became like drops of blood falling to the ground” (Luke 22:44). The One who spoke the worlds into existence, the One in whom “all things hold together” (Colossians 1:17), the One who has existed before time, “knelt down, and began to pray” (Luke 22:41).

Why such anguish? Certainly, He didn’t fear. He had no regrets. He wasn’t worried about the outcome, but He knew the cost. To save us, He couldn’t save Himself. To save us, He would become sin (2 Corinthians 5:21). He would carry the weight of every sin, of every sinner whoever breathed. To save us, He would be forsaken by His Father.

Facing this ghastly shame, Jesus prayed, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup away from me—nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done” (Luke 22:42). He knew before time began that there was no other way, but still, He “prayed that if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. 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’ ” (Mark 14:35-36).

Do our prayers need to be molded and made more like His? Sure. More importantly, our hearts need to be transformed.

Oh God, help me sacrifice my will to live according to Thy will!

“… think on these things” (Philippians 4:8, KJV).