There are three Gospel accounts of Jesus praying in Gethsemane the night of His arrest. You can find the accounts in Matthew 26, Mark 14, and Luke 22. Each Gospel writer gives essentially the same view of the event, but also adds a few details that they found striking.
I have always been fascinated by Jesus’ time of prayer in Gethsemane. It was there He set His soul, His will for what was to follow with His arrest, torture, trial, crucifixion and death. I believe it was in Gethsemane that His sufferings became vividly real. He told His disciples, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death.” [Matt 26:38 NKJV]
I am sure each of us have had times where we might describe our experiences as overwhelmed by sorrow. I am also sure some of have had experiences where we simply felt we might die if something didn’t change. But I am not sure any of us can truly understand what Jesus experienced there. He was about to take on the bitter weight of the punishment of the sins of the world and being separated from His Father for the first time in eternity.
As a young boy, Jesus realized that God had a special task for Him to accomplish. He told His mother when she found Him sitting among the scholars in the Temple that “I must be about my Father’s work.” [Luke 2:41-50]
That was more than likely a beginning revelation that grew and became more intense. Now in Gethsemane it had reached its fullness. Jesus understood what was just ahead, and it was enough to cause Him to think He might die right there in the garden. So, He prayed.
His prayer speaks to us about how we too should pray. Let’s spend a few days in Gethsemane with our LORD.
