Mark 14:32-42  v. 32  Then they went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.”  

With all the talk and all the candles the room was warm and still scented with the olive oil and lamb of our Passover meal.  Jesus wanted to pray in the garden across the Kidron valley so we all got up to follow.  As I stepped out of the doorway the cool night air pushed aside my drowsiness.  Fragrant spring blossoms contrasted with the uneasiness I felt as some of us lagged behind.  “What’s all this about betraying Jesus?” asked one of our number.  “Did you get who he meant?”  “I don’t know.  But what did he mean when he said the bread was his body and the wine was his blood?”  “I love to be with him but I don’t know what he’s talking about half the time.”  

Jesus had picked up the pace and we almost had to run to keep up.  The olive grove was away from the city and peaceful.  “Sit here while I pray,” said Jesus.  He took Peter, James and John with him as he walked in farther among the trees.  They were the closest to Jesus and I didn’t begrudge them the time with him.  Maybe I could get a little rest.  But almost immediately Jesus began to pray.  I stepped a little closer underneath thick branches.  Jesus’ intensity kept my attention though I couldn’t understand what he said.  One of the three put a hand on Jesus’ shoulder.  He stopped and turned his head and now I heard his words:  “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death.  Stay here and keep watch.”  Death?  Could sorrow kill a man?  Peter, James and John sat down, their backs finding the curves of gnarled olive trees.  

Jesus went a little farther and I had a clear view of him through the branches.  There was a rocky ledge where the olive trees couldn’t grow and he stopped there, falling to his knees on a broad stretch of flat stone.  He raised his arms to heaven and cried out, then he folded himself to the ground.  His shoulders heaved.  He got up, walked back and forth, lifted his hands, knelt again.  I had never seen him so agitated, and I couldn’t take my eyes off him.  I glanced aside at the three who had walked ahead with him.  Were they in agony of prayer too?  They were asleep!  This time when Jesus got up he walked toward the three.  “Wake up!” he commanded.  He was sweating profusely and there was urgency in his voice.  “Can’t you even pray for one hour?”  He needed them, I could tell, but even at a distance I could hear his love for them temper his voice as he added, “The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.”  They looked at him, groggy and confused, then at one another as they straightened up and returned to prayer.  

My focus moved to Jesus, who had slipped back among the trees to the bare rock and was already in agony again.  He knelt, he called out, he pounded at the rock, he paced, he rubbed the sweat from his face with his sleeve, he reached to heaven—I couldn’t turn aside as I watched this tumult of prayer.  Then Jesus exhaled deeply and was still.  He bent down and lay facedown flat on the rock, stretching his arms out to the sides.  I could feel his peace even from my vantage point.  Strange, though.  His form on the rock reminded me of a Roman cross.  I shivered.  

I don’t know how long Jesus lay there motionless.  When he got up and headed back he circled in my direction.  He knew I was there; he always knows where we are and what we’re thinking.  His hair was matted with sweat…and was that blood smeared on his face?  I didn’t know if I should look away, or apologize for intruding, but Jesus caught my eye and with his great compassion held my gaze.  He almost smiled.  “I love you,” he said.  “As I have loved you, love one another” (John 13:34).  I nodded.  I couldn’t speak.  I didn’t know why my eyes were filling with tears.  I could hear a commotion in the distance.  The other three were sleeping again.  “Enough!” said Jesus as he approached them.  “The hour has come.  Let’s go!  Here comes my betrayer.”  

They brought Jesus to Golgotha (which means the Place of the Skull)…and they crucified him….  Those who passed by hurled insults at him  (Mark 15:22, 24, 29).

“Who was the guilty?  Who brought this upon thee? 
Alas, my treason, Jesus, has undone thee. 
‘Twas I, Lord Jesus, I it was denied thee. 
I crucified thee.” 
(Johann Heermann, 1585-1647)

Forgive me, Jesus.  Thank you, Jesus, that you died for my sins so I can live forever with you.  Thank you, Father, that you accepted Jesus’ sacrifice as payment in full for all my sins.

The gift of forgiveness, peace and eternal life is for anyone who will believe that Jesus died for him or her.  Would you kneel with me in repentance and trust as we await the resurrection?

What wondrous love is this, O my soul, O my soul!
What wondrous love is this, O my soul!
What wondrous love is this that caused the Lord of bliss
To bear the dreadful curse for my soul, for my soul,
To bear the dreadful curse for my soul?
(American folk hymn)