Jesus’ Passion Week: Our Savior’s Last Days and Ultimate Sacrificeনমুনা

Jesus Prays at Gethsemane

Our youngest daughter recently broke her arm. My husband and I spent a restless night at the hospital with her, waiting for surgery the next day. She kept saying, “Just put me to bed!” That was her way of asking for anesthesia, so she could fall asleep and not have to experience the pain. Our daughter’s wish was granted! Before the surgery, she received general anesthesia, so she never felt anything during the surgery. When she woke up, her arm was wrapped in a purple cast with pink hearts and we were by her side.

Jesus did not have the benefit of receiving any kind of pain medication for what He would endure; He would feel everything. He stayed awake the night He was going to be betrayed in order to pray at the Garden of Gethsemane. Bringing His closest friends with Him, Jesus asked them to stay up and pray for Him. But they kept falling asleep and He was alone in His agony.

Jesus knew the suffering that was coming. He was going to experience the betrayal of a disciple and denial by a close friend. People would give false testimony about Him, mock and spit on Him. He would be flogged, and ultimately die a painful death on a Roman cross. Though sinless, He was going to carry the full weight of the sins of the world on the cross. Perhaps the worst part would be facing the abandonment and wrath of His Father while being punished for the sins of humanity.

Anticipating all that was to come, Jesus told His friends that His soul was “overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death” (Matthew 26: 38).Alone, He fell with His face to the ground, crying, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will”(Matthew 26:39).Three times He prayed these agonizing words to His Father. Jesus’ distress was so intense that His sweat became “like drops of blood falling to the ground” (Luke 22:44). How He longed for the cup to be removed! Ultimately, however, Jesus accepted that there was no other way and found strength to face the Cross.

Prayer: God, thank you that we are never alone in our pain. Jesus’ name is Emmanuel, which means God with us. Thank you that Jesus can empathize with everything we go through because of all the suffering He endured. Please give us strength to remain faithful as we face whatever trials may come. In Jesus’ name, Amen.