In today’s episode, the guys discuss the Garden of Gethsemane, which is where Jesus was praying after the Last Supper, right before He went to the cross. This moment in the garden was a dark, tumultuous scene in the Bible. Each of the gospels give their own account, and it was very likely frightening for the disciples. Jesus was sweating drops of blood and was trembling, but still said not for His own will, but God’s will to be done. Matthew 26:36 states, “Then Jesus went with His disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and He said to them, ‘Sit here while I go over there and pray.’ There is a time in every kid’s life where we see our dads cry or get sick for the first time. It’s a moment when we realize our dad is only human. This same moment happened with Jesus and the disciples. This moment puts the incarnation of Christ on display, much like trying to wrap your head around the reality that He had been a baby and needed care. Jesus was human every bit as much as He was God, and it is important for us to keep that balance.
Jesus doesn't say, “take this pain or suffering away from me”—he says, “take away this cup.” Jesus isn't talking about His physical death here, but looking at the fullness of the wrath of God that every human deserves. It states in the Bible that for the joy set before Him, He endured the cross. Jesus endured the cross for the fellowship and relationship that people would have with Him. It states that Jesus actually did sweat giant drops of blood, which is a real medical condition that happens in very rare instances of extreme anguish and distress. This highlights the reality of the humanity of Christ. In His prayer, He only prays—He does not demand, advance any claims, lay upon God any conditions, or reserve future obedience. This is the very heart of the believer when we are spiritually mindful. Trusting in the Lord doesn’t just mean doing the right thing, but maintaining composure and doing things with a heart that says “Lord, you are worthy of doing the right thing.”
Lastly, the guys talk about how Jesus finds His disciples sleeping, which is a reference to the Old Testament where God required the Israelites to stay awake during Passover.
Exodus 12:42 states, “Because the Lord kept vigil that night to bring them out of Egypt, on this night all the Israelites are to keep vigil to honor the Lord for the generations to come.” In the Garden of Gethsemane, the disciples did not keep watch, so the work of salvation was on God alone. These verses from Gethsemane remind us that it is so important to be watchful and pray preventative prayers to be on guard against temptation.
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Ray Comfort
Emeal (“E.Z.”) Zwayne
Mark Spence
Oscar Navarro
The Living Waters Podcast