“Taking along Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, He began to be sorrowful and troubled. He said to them, ‘I am deeply grieved to the point of death. Remain here and stay awake with me.’” – Matthew 26:37-38
Leading up to His arrest, Jesus knew what was about to come. That is why He was in the Garden of Gethsemane praying to God. Matthew 26:37-38 says, “Taking along Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, He began to be sorrowful and troubled. He said to them, ‘I am deeply grieved to the point of death. Remain here and stay awake with me.’”
That phrase “deeply grieved” speaks of great sadness and grief. It is a grief beyond depression. Luke adds in his account of this story the word “anguish.” Luke 22:44 says, “Being in anguish, He prayed more fervently, and His sweat became like drops of blood falling to the ground.”
That is a strong word that speaks of agony and conflict. It is a word that is only used right here in the New Testament. Don’t miss what Jesus endured for us. Listen again to the words used to describe His emotional state in that garden: He was sorrowful…troubled…deeply grieved…and in anguish.
We know that Jesus came to the Garden to pray, but have you ever thought about His posture in prayer? His posture tells you everything you need to know about His heart.
This wasn’t a quick “take off your cap, bow your head and thank the Lord for the food” prayer. This was Jesus dropping to His knees, falling on His face, and pleading with God the Father. He demonstrated in that moment humility and dependency like we have never seen before.
This was the Son of God on His face, before His Father, laying flat, with His nose in the dirt…agonizing to the point where His sweat bead became like drops of blood falling to the ground.
Have you ever thought about the emotions Jesus dealt with before dying on the cross? I think as believers we spend time thinking about the actual act. But do not forget, Jesus knew what was coming.
Yet, He was still obedient. He did what the Father commanded of Him, even with such drastic emotions. Now, God isn’t asking you to die on the cross. But He will ask you to do things you might not want to do, things you might be fearful of. The question is, when that time comes, will you be obedient?