By Rev. Tyger Penson
Matthew 26:36-46
36 Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” 37 He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38 Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”
39 Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”
40 Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. 41 “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
42 He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.”
43 When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. 44 So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing.
45 Then he returned to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour has come, and the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. 46 Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!”
These words from the Gospel of Matthew are speaking of Jesus on that fateful night just prior to his arrest and ultimate crucifixion. Jesus knew things were on a downward spiral. His words and actions had created major discontent with him by Jewish leaders. At the “Last Supper” in the upper room, Jesus had been with his disciples where they shared the Passover Meal. Judas was plotting with the Chief Priests to betray Jesus and Jesus knew it! Now, the meal is over; it is night and Jesus leaves for Gethsemane with his disciples. “Sit here while I go over there and pray,” says Jesus.
The prayer of Jesus is an agonizing one—one that rises up out of the very center of his being, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me…” Over and over he cries out to God.
As I think about this deep, soul-wrenching prayer of Jesus, I also realize that we too have prayed with such intensity. It happens when we are at the end of our wits. It occurs when the evil around us is so great, we are not sure where to go or what to do. Usually it transpires when I realize there is nothing I can do and must leave it all in God’s hands.
As we face an unprecedented experience of social distancing, or voluntary social isolation, or lay gravely sick in our bed during this coronavirus pandemic, the gift of prayer—a crying out to God for help, for healing, for hope—is a tool we all need. God is present in our deepest needs.
Rev. Dr. Daniel J. Simundson, in his small book, Where Is God in my Suffering, writes, “We [Christians] cannot promise people that suffering will go away—not in this life, anyway. It may happen, but it may not…How much can we hope for in this life? Surely, in most cases, the suffering does go away. People do get well. We work through the unpleasant experiences of grief, separation, loneliness, and depression, and often we are stronger for our ordeal.” And if the suffering is not quick to go away, look to Jesus. Simundson writes, “In Jesus we have a God who is willing to bear suffering with us and for us. Jesus could not avoid the cross, just as we cannot avoid all the sufferings of life. As Jesus found hope in the presence of a God who was with him in that ordeal, we can find hope in the caring and suffering God who accompanies us in our moments of suffering that, for one reason or other, cannot be avoided.”
As I find hope when I read of Jesus’ deep, heart-centered prayer just before his arrest, or when I read the encouraging words of Simundson and others, I pray that you may draw strength from such reflections for your Holy Week at home.
Prayer: God, I need hope today; our communities need the light of hope in the midst of the darkness we are facing. I trust you God. Hear my prayer. Amen.
Song: “Go to Dark Gethsemane” ELW 347
Go to dark Gethsemane, all who feel the tempter’s power;
Your Redeemer’s conflict see. What with him one bitter hour;
Turn not from his griefs away; learn from Jesus Christ to pray.