Jesus knew what was about to happen. His soul was crushed. He wanted his closest followers near him during this difficult time. Our hearts should start to break, too, as we lament with Jesus. What Jesus endured, he did for you and me. Jesus wanted the suffering removed, and yet he said, “I want your will to be done, not mine.”
Jesus models for us such restraint in surrendering his desires to the will of God. This is one lesson we can learn simply from observing Jesus’ response to his situation. Praying for God’s will to be done should be our “go-to” as well. It’s even a petition in The Lord’s Prayer, the prayer Jesus taught us to pray.
Do you think Jesus felt disappointment when his three friends couldn’t stay awake and keep watch as he had asked? What emotions do you think Peter, James, and John were feeling after having let Jesus down? For some reason, they just couldn’t keep their eyes open.
And then it happened. Jesus’ betrayer arrived with a crowd of armed men. What a frightening sight for everybody, especially Jesus! I can’t imagine the gamut of emotions confronting our Lord Jesus that night. It does us good as believers to insert ourselves in the story to realize the price Jesus paid for us.
In times of our own agony or fear, it’s helpful to know that our Lord Jesus is familiar with the emotions. Jesus is not unapproachable or unaware of our human weakness. Jesus stands by to comfort us and sustain us through our own times of torment and struggle.
Did the fact that Jesus’ own disciples deserted him surprise you? They had to be fearing for their own lives, having been associated with Jesus. Especially the man who cut off the slave’s ear. That was certainly a surprising turn of events.
What did the Scriptures foretell about this moment? Jesus was likely referring to the prophecy of Zechariah 13:7, which reads:
“Awake, O sword, against my shepherd,
the man who is my partner,”
says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.
“Strike down the shepherd,
and the sheep will be scattered,
and I will turn against the lambs.”
What is your takeaway from this reading? Does it convict you to be more in tune with Jesus, lest you fall asleep and be swept up by the world’s rhetoric? Or is it to pray God’s will be done in situations you feel are out of control? Or is it to be more thankful to Jesus for what he endured for you? What is it for you?
Let’s pray. Lord Jesus, I can’t imagine the agony you felt as you awaited this betrayal and arrest. You are the farthest thing from a criminal, and my heart breaks for what you had to endure. Help me to be more in tune with you and your will for my life. I want to go deeper and know you more. Thank you for each glimpse into your character and deep love for me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
