So many events in the life of Jesus on the Thursday of Holy Week. They begin in Matthew 26, Mark 14, Luke 22, and John 18. We see the Last Supper, the Agony in Gethsemane, the Betrayal and Arrest, and Jesus’ first trial before the Jewish Authorities.
For me, the significance is always Gethsemane. It was there Jesus saw and experienced in His Spirit the things that were about to unfold. They were so horrifying that He could have died right there in the garden.
He expressed His pain in Matthew 26:38: He said to his disciples when He asked them to pray and watch with Him, “My soul is swallowed up in sorrow—to the point of death. Remain here and stay awake with Me.” [HCSB]
Luke confirms the agony Jesus endured. “Then an angel from heaven appeared to Him, strengthening Him. Being in anguish, He prayed more fervently, and His sweat became like drops of blood falling to the ground.” [vs 43-44 HCSB]
It was at Gethsemane He asked the Father if there could be any other way. And, it was there that He fully surrendered His will to the Father’s.
From the moment Jesus surrendered His will to the Father’s, He never wavered. Through the betrayal, trials, torture, rejection, and crucifixion He was completely in control. He could have called angels to deliver Him from all of it, but He did not.
Jesus willingly fulfilled what the Father asked of Him. Because He did, we now have entry into the very Presence of God.
Thank you, sweet Jesus, for your obedience. Amen.