And He came out and went, as was His habit, to the Mount of Olives; and the disciples also followed Him. Now when He arrived at the place, He said to them, “Pray that you do not come into temptation.” And He withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and began to pray, saying, “Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done.” Now an angel from heaven appeared to Him, strengthening Him. And being in agony, He was praying very fervently; and His sweat became like drops of blood, falling down upon the ground. When He rose from prayer, He came to the disciples and found them sleeping from sorrow, and He said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray that you do not come into temptation.” (Luke 22:39-46)
I came across this passage a couple of days ago during a quiet time when, to my shame, I had been largely thinking about myself and my own priorities – and it really stayed with me. I’ve been silenced by this galling reminder about the reality of what Jesus went through. It shows just how much he loves us. It also shows how much he suffered.
I can’t go beyond this image of him slumped in prayer, pleading fervently, from a position of agony. It reminds me of those times when I have prayed after life has thrown something horrible at me. And I feel overwhelmed by what’s happened and all I can do is take a mustard seed of faith (as the Lord said that’s all I need) and place it at the foot of the cross.
But nothing – nothing – that I have experienced or prayed can compare to the reality of this moment in the Garden of Gesthemane: our Jesus in desperation, pouring his heart out for his creation. Sweating blood! Just think about it! Take those words ‘sweating blood’ into every moment throughout the day and let it stay there. This is what Christianity is about. Not politics or loud prayers, meetings or programs – but respectful quietness in our hearts before love defined,
What other reaction can we have, as we observe our Lord covered in bloody sweat and tears, pleading for relief but choosing self-sacrifice? An act of giving, in the face of atrocity, that provides a way-out for his children, a solution to our struggles. It merits our full attention.
There’s just one other point that I am reflecting upon. Why was it so important to Jesus, at this critical moment, to tell his followers to pray against entering temptation? He warns them not to go anywhere near it. It’s really central to his thoughts in this heartbreaking scene, and he makes the point not once, but twice.
I am rather limited in my understanding so I don’t want to pretend to give a definitive answer. Yet I wonder if he is asking us to not let his sacrifice count for nothing. Honor the blood. Respond to the cross. Push away the tentacles of evil choices and obey him in love.
In the church that I go to, there is a memorial plaque in the historic building to a church minister who led a previous fellowship for 38 years. It says his motto was, “God first.” That’s what Jesus showed in his obedience to the Father by the agonies he suffered and the death he went through so many years ago, in the times of the Roman Empire. And that is surely the calling of our own lives every day, following the way of the master who sweated blood for us. God first.
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