DESPERATE
TEXT: Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane … And taking with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, He began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then He said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with Me.” And going a little farther He fell on His face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.” (Matthew 26:36a, 37-39)
Jesus fell on His face. Prayer doesn’t get more desperate than that. And I am so glad that the Gospels show us our Savior that way-deeply troubled, crying out to God-because it means Jesus has been there, right where I’ve been-right where I’m terrified I’ll have to go again.
Look at what He does. He goes to Gethsemane, though He knows absolutely He’ll be leaving that place under arrest. He takes His three closest friends and begs them to stay alert while He prays. And He only makes it a little further before He falls on His face.
“Father,” He cries. “If possible, let Me not have to go through with this.” But He could not avoid it. Because what was at stake was us-you, and me, and everyone who needs a Savior. It was Him or us. And He chose to have it be Him.
Because of Jesus, none of us has to go through Gethsemane alone. We may suffer, we will certainly die-but we’ll do it with Jesus beside us, holding us up, carrying us in His love. We’ll do it with the sure and certain promise of everlasting life-because Jesus died and rose again for our sake, to save us and make us His own forever.
WE PRAY: Stay with me, Lord! Amen.
——————– Reflection Questions
• When you’re desperate, how do you pray?
• When have you had to choose between your own suffering and someone else’s?
• What does Jesus’ choice tell you about His feelings for you?
Responses