Jesus in Agony

Luke 22:39-46, records the account of Jesus and his disciples on the Mount of Olives just prior to Jesus being betrayed.

When they arrive at the mount, Jesus instructs the disciples to “Pray that ye enter not into temptation”. As they leave the mount he gives them the same instruction, to “Pray that ye enter not into temptation”.

In between these instructions, we see Jesus in “agony” and in need of “strengthening”. In fact his “agony”, which is usually an emotional condition, was so intense that it had a physical effect on him, he “sweated blood”.

Mark’s account said that he was “greatly amazed and sore troubled”. He told his disciples, “My soul is exceeding sorrowful even unto death.”

In this extreme condition, Jesus prayed.

Mark says he prayed this; “Abba Father, all things are possible unto thee; remove this cup from me: howbeit not what I will but what thou wilt.”

Matthew says he prayed this, “My Father if it be possible, let this cup pass away from me: nevertheless, not as I will but as thou wilt.”

“My Father if this cannot pass away, except I drink it, thy will be done.”

Luke records much the same, “Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine be done.”

With these prayers we see the cause of Jesus’ great agony. He was about to experience extreme cruelty and physical pain and he already knew every detail of it and had probably rehearsed the whole scene in his own head many times. In addition, the weight of all of humanities sins would rest upon his shoulders. That was the “cup” he would have to drink.

The solution to this great agony? Prayer. Prayer that God might find another solution and it there was no other solution, prayer that God might strengthen him. Although God did not change his plan he did help… he sent an angel to strengthen Jesus. Jesus left the mount in a state of composure.

I find it interesting that Jesus did not ask the disciples to pray on his behalf. Instead he asked them to pray for themselves that they might not be tempted to sin. How unselfish.

I have a feeling that if the disciples, like Jesus, could have foreseen the events that were about to unfold that they would not be sleeping in the garden but that they would also with great agony and anxiety be praying to God for strength. And perhaps even spare a prayer for the one who would suffer the most… the great and noble Jesus.