Jesus’ Example

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." He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me. 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."

." MT 26:3639 (NIV)



Jesus sought a place where He could commune with the Father. The eleven disciples traveled with him to the garden. He departed from most of the group, taking his three closest followers with him a bit further.

He asked the trio to keep watch and pray. He was discouraged about the events to come. Our Lord knelt down a few feet away and communed with God. We can barely imagine his thoughts.

While we reflect on the events of Holy Week, we look at Gethsemane as a time of surrender for Christ. He approached His Father alone, as we all must do in the midst of a difficulty, fell face down before God as an act of humility. He had told the disciples he was sick to his soul, overwhelmed with sorrow. He prayed for His own will to be laid aside and for God’s will to be carried out.

He did this because He chose to give us an example. When we or those we know have times of great sorrow or stress, we should go off by ourselves and seek God and His guidance.

As of this writing, my husband faces yet another health issue, we see a specialist the day after Easter. Please keep Jim and me in your prayers.