04/03/2026
Good Friday: Jesus Prays in The Garden of Gesthemene
Scripture:
And he came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him. And when he came to the place, he said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.” And he withdrew from them about a stone's throw, and knelt down and prayed, saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. And being in agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground. And when he rose from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping for sorrow, and he said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Rise and pray that you may not enter into temptation.”
Luke 22:39-46 (ESV)
Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I go over there and pray.” 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[d] 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.” And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter, “So, could you not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.” And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. So, leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words again. Then he came to the disciples and said to them, “Sleep and take your rest later on. See, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand.”
Matthew 26:36-46
Devotional:
Jesus asks the disciples to stay awake and pray with him. They end up sleeping. He was asking for their attention and presence with him in a time of great distress. He is so distressed because he knows that he must face the crucifixion. He prays that the cup might pass from him. Yet, he is also fully accepting of God’s will. He goes to the crucifixion willingly. This request from Jesus shows his humanity. While Jesus is divine, he is also a man. It shows his great struggle and also his surrender to the will of God. He asked them for support in prayer and presence, and they couldn't follow through. However, there was a witness to his prayer and his sweat as drops of blood. The stone that Jesus kneeled upon in prayer heard every word and felt every drop. What might it have said or done if it had a voice? Would it want to wrap Jesus up and comfort him? Would it offer a prayer of its own? It did not speak out to Jesus. But, it was there. What we see from the stone can teach us a great deal about how to respond to suffering. Sometimes the best response and support is merely showing up. Sitting with someone in their suffering can help immensely. We don’t have to offer advice, or solve any problems, just be there and silently pray. Jesus did not ask for much. He only asked for presence. The disciples were not, but the stone was.
AMC
About the Artwork:
At Eternity’s Gate
Vincent Van Gogh
1890
This painting shows a person experiencing great distress and suffering. It always makes me think of Christ’s suffering on my behalf.
About the Music:
Go to Dark Gasthemane (1820) trad. Hymn by James Montgomery
The Men of the American Cathedral Choir
Recorded for Holy Week 2018
“Go to Dark Gethsemane” is a Lenten hymn that spotlights scenes from the last 12 hours of Jesus Christ’s life.
It takes us on a journey from the Garden of Gethsemane where we are charged to stand and watch, to the judgment hall and our denial of him, to the cross where we witness his death and his grace, and finally to his glorious resurrection and our redemption. We become part of the drama of Christ’s passion and resurrection.
The poet repeats the phrase “learn of” at the end of each stanza, charging us to apply each scene to our lives. James Montgomery uses repetition to draw attention to what he considers important about each scene and each stanza.
“Learn of Jesus Christ to pray” encourages us to remember the scene of the garden and to go to God in fervent prayer. “Learn of Christ to bear the cross” is a charge to lay down our lives, take up the cross and follow Christ. “Learn of Jesus Christ to die” is a reminder of what Paul wrote in Galatians 2:20: “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.”
https://youtu.be/9nzEcyItS_k?si=2l_7AqKaEHmDJZJC
