The Garden of Gethsemane

Matthew 26:36-46; Mark 14:32-42; Luke 22:39-46

1)      Begin today’s devotion by reading the scriptures listed above.  Try to summarize them in one or two sentences. 

2)      Make two columns in your journal. All three accounts emphasize similar things.  On one column list all of the similarities between the readings.  On the other column list the differences.  Luke points out a few details not included in Matthew and Mark.  See if you can identify them.  Afterward, observe your findings.   Highlight any key words that are repeated.  As you look at your list, what are you curious about?  What stands out to you?  

3)      Look up the words agony and distress in the dictionary and record the definitions.  Do any of these definitions expand your understanding of the text?  Do they raise any additional questions?  Are there any other words in the text that you want to better understand? 

There are volumes to be gleaned from this text about the nature of suffering and the will of God.  Jesus was not distressed because of a moral failing or weakness or unbelief.  Instead Jesus' trust in his Father led him into a place of intense distress and sorrow.  Did you notice in Luke how Jesus was strengthened by an angel and then he entered into an even deeper anguish?  These observations challenge us with some very serious questions.  How do we trust God when our belief does not relieve our anguish or at times may even deepen our suffering?  Jesus needed his closest friends to “watch and pray” with him.  They did what they could until they fell asleep.  Luke tells us they were exhausted with grief.  How do we continue to trust God when our closest friends cannot hold space for our suffering?  What do we do when we ourselves are unable to support a suffering friend?  These are real questions, and the answers are as complex as they are difficult to understand and even more difficult to embody.  I’m grateful the gospel writers included this part of Jesus’ life in the gospels. 

While we can glean many lessons from Jesus on suffering, there is an aspect of his suffering that is unique to his relationship with his Father and his mission to save sinners from their sin.  Jesus was preparing himself to die. Judas would betray him.  Rome would brand him a rebel.  The Jews would charge him with blasphemy.  And His Father, while pouring out his wrath against sin, would abandon him on the cross. This is the “cup” Jesus is referring to in Gethsemane.  Jesus suffered in a way that his followers will never have to experience (see Hebrews 4:14-16; 12:1-6; 13:5-6).  

Go back and read today’s scriptures again.  Choose one or two of the following journal prompts to respond to: 

·         Where in your life do you want to cultivate a deeper honesty and surrender to God? 

·         What is the most difficult aspect of your own areas of suffering?  Can you talk to God about it today? Who can you ask to “watch and pray” with you? 

·         Take some time to express gratitude for the suffering Jesus endured on our behalf. 

·         Who do you need to hold space for?  Who can you “watch and pray” for today?    

Sources used:

Broadman Bible Commentary, Vol 8, General Articles Matthew-Mark.  Broadman Press: Nashville, Tennessee, 1969.

Moltmann, Jurgen.  The Crucified God: The Cross of Christ as the Foundation and Criticism of Christian Theology.  Fortress Press: Minneapolis, 1974.

Stein, Robert H.  Jesus the Messiah: A Survey of the Life of Christ.  InterVarsity Press: Downers Grove, Illinois, 1996.