Matthew 26:36-45 36 Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder. 37 And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy. 38 Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me. 39 And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. 40 And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour? 41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. 42 He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done. 43 And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy. 44 And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words. 45 Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. |
Jesus' Gethsemane trial teaches us another powerful lesson. The importance of prayer. He steps into the garden and separates himself from everyone. He then falls upon His knees and begins speaking to His Heavenly Father. There will be times in life's journey that it's best to get away from everyone. In other words; get away from any and all distraction so that we can clearly speak and hear from God.
Even with all the darkness of spiritual wickedness upon Him, the LORD was not detoured from prayer. Things may be tough and you may feel that there is an overwhelming pressure upon your life, but just keep praying. But also keep in mind that God does not always answer the way we believe He should. You will not find where God the Father audibly spoke to Jesus in this moment or removed the cup of suffering. Instead, there would be a friend that would betray Him, a judgment that was unlawful, a crown that did not fit His glory, a beating He did not deserve, a cross that was not His, and a tomb He had to borrow.
This was not a pleasant answer to the prayer request. But God's answer did not end with suffering and death. It ends with Him being raised in a glorified body and with great power. The moral of the story, keep praying, even when things seem hopeless. Even on the cross Jesus continued in prayer.
Pastor Todd McClain
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