Sketchy Lent: The Garden of Gethsemane
A (belated) Good Friday Visual Devotional for Easter.
And they went to a place called Gethsemane. And he said to his disciples, "Sit here while I pray." And he took with him Peter and James and John, and began to be greatly distressed and troubled. And he said to them, "My soul is very sorrowful, even to death. Remain here and watch." And going a little farther, he fell on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. And he said, "Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will." (Mark 14:32-36, ESV)
The Ultimate Test of Obedience
Just before his betrayal, arrest and crucifiction, Jesus withdrew to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray.
The prayer starts unexpectedly by asking for another way. It might seem surprising, the son of God who always follows the Father’s will asking for a different option, but it fills me with hope. It’s the hope of honest communion with God. That we can come to him with our questions and doubts without fear that they are wrong or bad.
But it’s also the hope that even when we face the hardest trial, we can conquer them in Christ.
The Garden is an interesting location. On the one hand, it’s The Wilderness — a place where Jesus can be alone, away from others. On the other hand it’s a place filled with God’s blessing, abundance and presence. It’s no wonder this is the place he went to pray.
Jesus, unlike Adam and Eve, faces his temptation in the Garden and submits to God’s will.
When we face moments of intense trial and tempation, we can follow Jesus’ example: honest prayer and submission to God’s will, all the while knowing that in Jesus we have already overcome.
As we journey through this season, let's ask God to give us the faith and the courage to say, with Jesus, "Not my will, but Yours be done."
Reflections
How do you feel about Jesus’ prayer in the Garden? Does it give you hope or seem an unrealistic standard?
Have you ever face a similar situation? One where you knew what God was asking you to do but you didn’t want to do it? How did you respond?
Do you have a “Garden” of your own? A place where you can withdraw to pray and be with God? If not, what time or place could be your Garden?
Prayer
Father, thank you for the example of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. Thank you for his demonstration of honest prayer that shows us we can be honest with you too. Forgive us for when we run from you or choose our own path for whatever reason. Help us to follow Jesus’ example and say “Not my will, but Yours be done.” in any circumstance.
Amen