Matthew 26:36-46
Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” He took along Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to feel sorrow and distress. t Then he said to them, “My soul is sorrowful even to death. Remain here and keep watch with me.” He advanced a little and fell prostrate in prayer, saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet, not as I will, but as you will.” When he returned to his disciples he found them asleep. He said to Peter, “So you could not keep watch with me for one hour? Watch and pray that you may not undergo the test. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Withdrawing a second time, he prayed again, “My Father, if it is not possible that this cup pass without my drinking it, your will be done!” Then he returned once more and found them asleep, for they could not keep their eyes open. He left them and withdrew again and prayed a third time, saying the same thing again. Then he returned to his disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? Behold, the hour is at hand when the Son of Man is to be handed over to sinners. Get up, let us go. Look, my betrayer is at hand.”
Grace Prayed For
The Grace of Surrender: Jesus’ prayer, “not as I will, but as you will,” models a radical surrender to God’s plan. We can pray for the grace to trust in God’s wisdom and to surrender our own desires and agendas to his perfect will.
Embracing Vulnerability in Prayer: Lessons from Gethsemane
In the garden of Gethsemane, we witness a raw and intimate moment in Jesus’ life. The weight of his impending suffering presses upon him, causing him to feel “sorrow and distress.” Yet, in his vulnerability, he turns to prayer.
Jesus’ prayer is not one of stoic resignation but a heartfelt plea for another way. He asks his Father, “if it is possible, let this cup pass from me.” This vulnerability reveals a deep trust in his Father’s will, even as he grapples with the agonizing path before him.
There are moments in our lives when we too face overwhelming challenges, when the cup of suffering seems too heavy to bear. We may cry out to God, begging for relief or a different outcome. Like Jesus, we can bring our honest emotions and desires before God, trusting that he hears and understands our deepest pain.
Jesus’ repeated prayer, “yet, not as I will, but as you will,” models a radical surrender to God’s plan. It is a prayer of trust, even in the face of uncertainty and fear. We can learn from Jesus’ example to surrender our own desires and agendas to God’s greater purpose, knowing that he ultimately desires what is best for us.
Jesus’ disciples, despite their good intentions, failed to stay awake and pray with him. This reminds us of our own human weakness and tendency to fall asleep spiritually. We are called to be vigilant in prayer, to stay awake to the presence of God and to the challenges that life brings our way.
As we reflect on Jesus’ agony in Gethsemane, we are invited to draw strength from his vulnerability, trust in his Father’s will, and persevere in prayer. Let us remember that even in our darkest hours, we are not alone. We can always turn to God in prayer, confident that he will walk with us through every trial and lead us to a place of peace and hope.
Reflection Questions:
- How does Jesus’ vulnerability in Gethsemane challenge or inspire you?
- What are the “cups” in your own life that you struggle to accept? How can you surrender them to God’s will?
- How can you cultivate a more vigilant and persistent prayer life, especially in times of difficulty?
- In what ways can you rely on God’s strength when your own “flesh is weak”?
May this reflection on Gethsemane deepen your trust in God and empower you to face life’s challenges with courage and hope.
Growing in Intimacy with Jesus
Witnessing Vulnerability: Jesus’ agony in the garden reveals a deeply human side of his divinity. He is not a distant figure, but one who experiences sorrow, fear, and anguish. This vulnerability invites us into a deeper level of intimacy, as we connect with him on a more personal and emotional level.
Sharing
Jesus last words on Earth were to his disciples, can be found in Matthew Chap 28 when Jesus told his disciples, “Then Jesus approached and said to them, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”
Jesus calls all of us to share in his redemptive mission here on Earth. I would ask you to share this Scripture reflection with your family, your friends and your acquaintances, and then share it with a couple of individuals that you may may not be comfortable sharing with, keeping in mind always the words of Jesus, And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age
Author was assisted by AI in the drafting of this Post