First Station: Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane

Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” He took along Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to feel sorrow and distress. Then he said to them, “My soul is sorrowful even to death. Remain here and keep watch with me.” He advanced a little and fell prostrate in prayer, saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet, not as I will, but as you will.” When he returned to his disciples he found them asleep. He said to Peter, “So you could not keep watch with me for one hour? Watch and pray that you may not undergo the test. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
Matthew 25:36-41 

 

Jesus prayed.  Jesus prayed in the garden.  It sounds so nice.  Something about a garden creates images of peace and comfort and blessed solitude.  Apparently He came often to this garden to pray.  But this time it was different.  Jesus felt sorrow and distress.  He shared with Peter, James and John that His soul was “sorrowful even to death”. This time of prayer was tinged with sweat and blood.  But this prayer gave Him the strength to carry on the mission He desired to accomplish.  Each step brought Him a greater intensity of pain and closer to death, but each step brought us closer to life and redemption.  We know by this journey, starting in the garden and ending at the cross, that God loves us with an amazing, indescribable, everlasting love.  We can know with certainty that we are His beloved.  He has called us to be the ”beloved in God the Father, and kept for Jesus Christ” Jude 1.   This prayer of agony in the garden was for us.

“Jesus, thank you for your prayer in the garden.  Thank you for your steadfast heart to give us real life.  May we understand a little better the prayer you prayed for us and the love that brought you to the cross.  Amen.”

Scott for Wellspring Copyright 2008

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