The Garden

The Scripture passage in Mark 14:32-42 (NLT) is where I have been camped out for the last week. I'm amazed at all that God has done, mindful of what He has accomplished on the cross, and what that means for each of us. There is nothing we have gone through that He hasn't or in someway experienced and can relate to and empathize with us. So here are some of my thoughts as I read and prayerfully consider Jesus' journey through the garden of Gathsemane.

Vs 32 They went to the olive grove called Gethsemane, and Jesus said, "Sit here while I go and pray."

Genthsemane means "Oil press"

It was a place of pressing--this pressing reveals what comes out of us.

When we go through trials (times of pressing) it has a way of revealing our true character and where our faith lies.

We get to see our true selves and how much has been shaped by our flesh, culture, and/ or the Holy Spirit. It's a place that reveals our true nature--whether we are made new or still living out of our old sinful nature.

Vs 33 He took Peter, James, and John with him, and he became deeply troubled and distressed.

Jesus has his three closest friends and brothers by his side when he was deeply troubled. Learning from his example, when I am in trouble do I have my closest alleys and friends near? Do I let them see the real life struggles? Or do I simply act like everything is fine and go about my business when internally I am falling apart at the seems?

Vs 34 HE told them, "My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me."

Jesus knew what lies ahead. He knew so well what would happen that he foretold his disciples three times that he would suffer, be rejected, beaten, and killed. But he was at the point where this, that was foretold was now no longer a future event but a present day occurrence. He was about to face reality--and it was soul crushing, grief-stricken, and would result in his death. His only request and maybe even command was for his disciples to stay there and keep watch.

Vs 35 He went on a little further and fell to the ground. He prayed that, if it were possible, the awful hour awaiting him might pass him by.

Jesus, went to the Father on his knees in prayer. He didn't want to face what was awaiting him--an awful hour. He prayed that it would pass. How many times do we find ourselves in an awful hour--and instead of falling to our knees in prayer we fall prey to numbing out the pain, distraction from the thing that weighs us down, or living in a state of confusion because we live in our thoughts and introspection. Instead of coming to the One who can and has the power to change circumstances. Could Father God have changed things? Sure, but it wouldn't have been His will.

Vs 36 "Abba, Father," he cried out, "everything is possible for you. Please take tis cup of suffering away from me. yet I want your will to be done, not mine."

Jesus cried out to his dad knowing that he could change the circumstances in an instant. Remove this cup of suffering.. Sometimes we want God to remove the suffering he has allowed us to walk through. But I'm reminded of many verses about how suffering has a way of testing out faith (1 Peter 1:7), building our character (Romans 5:3-4), and one day allowing us to participate in His glory (1 Peter 4:13).

Here was a moment in which Jesus' will and the Father's will were in opposition. Yet Jesus wanted the Father's will over his own. May we in those moments of testing submit our will to the Father and trust that His will and way is always better and in our best interest.

Vs 37 Then he returned and found the disciples asleep. He said to Peter, "Simon, are you asleep? Couldn't you watch with me even one hour?"

He had told them stay here and keep watch. However, they fell asleep. There are moments, where we fall into this temptation--to sleep. Instead of standing firm in our faith and in the strength of the Lord--keeping watch. Instead we get spiritually drowzy. In these moments we lose sight. We get confused. We don't see things as Go see's them. Although that is what he desires--to have the Father's perspective. This is a default setting and old way of living--hence the reason Jesus does not call out to Peter but to Simon. "Simon" was his name before he became a new creation. "Peter" was his new creation name. Is he trying to get your attention? Can you keep watch? Or are you falling into your old ways and losing sight of God and who you are in Him?

Vs 38 Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the Spirit is willing, but the body is weak."

Again Jesus repeats the requests/ command to keep watch and pray, but he furthers this with his reasoning behind it. His reason is so that they would not fall into temptation. Was the temptation to fall into a spiritual stupor? Was the temptation to attack each other or Jesus' captors? What the temptation to deny Christ? I believe it was all of the above, and in some way, shape, or form haven't we all faced these temptations?

When temptation comes we have a tendency to lean into what we think/ know, what we feel, or what we desire, but these things are weak and often lead us into temptation vs away from it. The Spirit is willing to do the things that we cannot do in our own strength. The Spirit is willing to do the heavy lifting. Let us be people who choose the Spirit who is willing over the body that is weak.

Father, thank you for Your Word that leads us and guides us and reveals truth in a way that draws us closer to you and away from temptation. I ask that these verses would guide us as we are up against the awful hours we may face. May we keep watch and pray, submitting to your Spirit who is willing and able to lead and guide us away from temptations. May we choose to yield our will allowing your will to be done on earth as it is in heaven. In Jesus name, amen.