Day 25 of our series by James Dunn. James points out some very important lessons we can learn from Jesus when he went to the Garden to pray before the most challenging time in his life. Any of the Devotionals can be read as a stand alone quiet time(s). You can see more devotionals here
Lessons from Gethsemane
By James Dunn
Jesus went to the Garden of Gethsemane prior to his arrest and subsequent crucifixion. He went here to pray, knowing that soon he was going to have to endure the most incredible suffering known to man.
Read Matthew 26:36-46 (NIV84)
[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.”
Jesus knew he needed to spend time with God to make it through the ordeal he was about to go through. He was Deliberate about scheduling his Personal Devotional Time with God!
Q: Everyday presents us with spiritual challenges. Do you have a Plan for HOW, WHEN, WHERE, & WHAT you’re studying out in your Walk with God?
[If you need some guidance we have this devotional series that can help you!]
[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.”
Jesus initiated with Peter, James, & John, the 3 Disciples that He felt CLOSE TO!
Jesus was comfortable enough to be Emotionally Vulnerable with the 3 of them and he asked for their help…but He Still Went to God for His Source of Strength.
Q: Who are you comfortable being Gut-Wrenching Honest with? Are you connected with them at this time? (Challenge: Call them today)
[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.”
Jesus was Real with God about the “Reality of what he Felt” in His situation, even thought he knew the “Right Answer”.
Q: Are you Comfortable enough to Disagree with God, yet Resolved enough to Wrestle with His Will? What area do you feel like you really need to wrestle a bit more with God in prayer?
Q: In respect to Gods will for you, where might you need to wrestle more with God in prayer?
[40] Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Could you men not 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 body is weak.”
Jesus was Hurt by Peter, James, & John – who He chose to be Vulnerable with and they Hurt him Deeply, at one of the Most Vulnerable times in his physical life.
Q: Has anyone hurt you lately or in the Past? How are you handling it? Jesus was Honest about HOW they Hurt Him yet resolved not to retaliate.
Jesus was Willing to Offer them help in their Area of Weakness, even in the midst of being hurt by them!
Q: Who do you feel you need to forgive? How can you show them love?
[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
[45]Then he returned to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour is near, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. [46] Rise, let us go! Here comes my betrayer!”
Jesus was persistent in prayer and determined to align his heart with God’s heart! Our approach to prayer can be to spend a lot of energy trying to convince God to bless our personal desire and goals rather than fighting to align our hearts with God’s will. There is nothing wrong with asking God for personal desires and goals, but let’s make sure when God has made his answers clear that we fight through prayer to surrender to His will.
Q: What is your tendency in your prayer life?
Jesus was always aware of what was going on, externally, despite his personal inner battle! Sometimes when we have personal inner battles it can make us inwardly focused. We spend a lot of time thinking about what is going on with us. We can forget that other people are also struggling and need support and help. We can neglect the people we love.
Q: How “In Touch” are you with the people around you and how they are doing?
Challenge: Call someone just to see how they are doing. Be there for someone else today.
3 Takeaways:
- Reliant: Jesus was Reliant on God, not his Emotions, Circumstance, or Personal Desires!
- Real: Jesus was Honest and Uncomfortable Vulnerable with both God & Men in His time of Need!
- Resolved: Jesus was Resolved to Wrestle with God until His will Aligned with God’s Will!
