Jesus knew that His enemies would strike that very night, and that His little flock would be scattered like helpless sheep, leaving Him to face everything alone, as the prophet had written (Zechariah 13:7). He knew that Peter, bold spokesman for the disciples, would that night deny even knowing Him, not once or twice, but three times (completely)! When Peter would not listen to the warning, but argued for his own strength and courage and loyalty, all of the other disciples said the same thing.
So what would Jesus do? He was low, overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Would He give up the idea of helping such weak and fickle friends? Would He wallow in self-pity, and be indignant over how much He had done for them, and how little they would take in the way of suffering for Him before they turned tail and ran? Would He berate them for their blindness and bravado? He would do none of those things. He would ask them to pray with Him and in His deep misery He would go off a little ways to pray.
Jesus did not agonize in Gethsemane to teach us how to pray, and yet His prayer teaches us much. His prayer shows us how we can come to God when we are in great distress. When we feel betrayed, or dismayed by the cup of suffering that we face, or just alone, we, too, may come to God with Jesus and say, "Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will." If we come with Jesus, we are praying with God's beloved Son, in Whom He is well-pleased. If we come with Jesus, we may be confident that whatever God wills is the best thing for us, for He loves the friends of His dear Son. We can confidently leave our problem, yes, our very selves in His hands. |
