What happens next is very Embarrassing

Matthew 26:36-46

Webster’s dictionary gives this insight into the word Gethsemane: The name Gethsemane originates from a Hebrew term meaning “oil press,” suggesting that the garden was a grove of olive trees.  We are told they went to the Mount of Olives, where Jesus took Peter, James and John the sons of Zebedee and went farther into the garden.  I’ve been to the Mount of Olives and we were allowed to go into the inner garden for a time of prayer.  It was an emotional time for me, knowing the battle that my Lord had fought for me in this garden.

If you had been one of the chosen that night, some 2000 years ago, and Jesus had said, “Sit here, while I go over there and pray.”  I ‘m sure you would have been watchful, but that is not reported in any of the gospels, in fact, Jesus takes Peter, James and John and it was very clear that Jesus was sorrowful and troubled.  Both Matthew and Mark report that Jesus said; “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me.”

The story has changed, you are no longer just one of the twelve, you are hand picked by the Lord to go farther into the garden, you have never seen Jesus in the three and a half years in such a state, you are surely going to watch and pray, but you have had a big meal and it’s dark, your eyes began to get heavy and what happens next is very embarrassing, Jesus is asking a question of you, “So, could you not watch with me one hour?  And then He looked at Peter and said, “Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

What was so sad, so shameful was that before going to sleep we heard Jesus praying to the Father, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.”  Jesus came back the second time and we recalled Him turning and going back to the spot, getting on His face and telling His Father; “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.”  And Jesus came back a third time, and we were sleeping and He went back and prayed to the Father the same words.

Do you remember that night?  Do you recall Jesus’ words to us when He came back from being with the Father?  This is what He said; “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.” 

That is not a story anyone wants to be involved in, for we would like to believe that if we had been in the story it would have been different, but my dear brothers and sisters; “The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice