The Garden of Gethsemane

Luke 22:39-46

My son is very shy. He is shy to the point where he won’t even play on the playground if there is more than one other kid there. At first, I was annoyed, wanting him to attach to others and develop a sense of self-confidence and security in his own body. But as he has gotten older, I have come to accept that it is part of his cautious and observant personality. He treasures his safe spaces, and I’ve grown to be thankful that he feels safest and most secure when he’s with my husband or me. My son knows that when he is with us, we will look out for him and guide him, just like God does for us.

When Jesus is praying in the garden, anticipating what is to come, He knows that the punishment for the sins of the world is to be separated from God, and as a child longs for the comfort of his/her parents, He pleaded for another way even though he knew there wasn’t one. Jesus wasn’t trying to “get out of His mission,” He was simply expressing His emotions to His Father.

God wanted His children back, and Jesus trusted His Father. Psalm 46:1 says, “God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.” When we are afraid or unsure, would we cling to our Father in heaven like a child, trusting that if He loved us enough to sacrifice His own son on our behalf, there is nothing that would keep Him from coming to our aid?

Where have you been holding back your true feelings from God? Spend some time processing that question as you reflect on today’s passage.