Jesus in Gethsemane (v36-46) is one of the most moving parts of scripture. Jesus wants the support of His closest friends at this very difficult time (v37). Jesus’ phrase about being ‘very sorrowful even to death’ (v38), speaks of a sense of being crushed. The ‘cup’ which Jesus asks to be taken from Him was the cup of God’s wrath for the sin of His people.

Three times after praying, Jesus returns to the disciples and finds them sleeping (v40, 43, 45). Jesus was in His greatest time of need and His disciples let Him down as their spirit was willing but their flesh was too weak (v41).

Jesus going to pray three times, speaks of the intensity of the situation, and the earnestness of Jesus. Initially Jesus is praying for the cup to be removed (v39). In the following two prayers (v42 & 44), Jesus is asking for grace to do the Father’s will if the cup cannot be removed. It is through this wrestling in prayer that Jesus finds strength to continue to the cross.

Here we see something of the great passion in Jesus as He goes to the cross. He goes with a strong determination to complete this work of salvation, such was His great love for God and for sinners like us.