In the Garden

Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to the disciples, “Sit here while I go off and pray over there.” – Matthew 26:36

To a place called Gethsemane. The word means “oil-press,” and would signify that a press for making oil out of the olives, which grew in abundance on the mountain, was built there. This was on the western slope of the Mount of Olives.

It was here in Gethsemane that Jesus prayed, “Thy will be done.”

His anguish and sorrow can be explained only in this way – He suffered, the Just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God.

The weight of grief and despair was literally crushing the life out of Jesus’ body. We see the depth of our Lord’s commitment. This prayer was preparation for the cross. We contrast this to the superficial religion of the Pharisees. They were hypocritical: excellent talk but pitiable walk. They were shallow and insincere. Will we persevere in our devotion?

“He found them asleep”

It is so easy to give in to the flesh – The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak – and their eyes were heavy.

Others will likely fail us. What will we do? What did Jesus do when His disciples failed? He went back and prayed a second time. He went back and prayed a third time. We must remain faithful to Him when others fail.