By Timothy W. Burnett
When they stopped Jesus told his disciples to pray so that they might not enter into temptation, and then he separated himself from them a short distance away. He then kneeled down to pray (Luke 22:40-41). The records of Mark 14:32-33 and Matthew 26:36-37 seem to refer to the same event. Jesus told his disciples to sit at a certain spot while he prayed. He took with him Peter, James and John. The record shows that Jesus began to be sorely amazed and very heavy or weighted down with depression. He said, "My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death. Tarry here and watch" (Mark 14:34 and Matthew 26:38).
He went a little farther away and "fell on his face" praying, "O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me. Nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will." The record in Matthew 26:39-44 reveals that he made the same request to his Father three different times. Each time he returned to find his disciples asleep. In Mark 14:35-38 we learn that his prayer was basically to not have to endure what was to come. After his first prayer he found his disciples sleeping and said to Peter, "You're sleeping? Couldn't you watch one hour? Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak."
Turning to Luke 22:43-44, we find that after his first prayer an angel appeared to him from heaven and strengthened him. While in extreme agony he prayed even more earnestly. His sweat poured out like great drops of blood. The reference to great drops of blood was very likely a figure of speech emphasizing the greatness of his agony.
Jesus was about to face the most difficult time of his life. He felt extreme agony and depression. Look at his response to the feelings. He prayed to his Father. With an honest heart he asked if it might be possible to by-pass what was coming. He was checking to see if there was any other way. He then finished by meekly saying, "not as I will, but as you will." What a fantastic example of prayer! Jesus was feeling very weak and vulnerable.
When we feel agonized and depressed about something, we can go to God with an honest heart, and make our specific requests known to Him. God's word teaches us to "be anxious for nothing. But in everything by prayer and supplication let your requests be made known to God" (Philippians 4:6-7). The end result is a peaceful heart.
It's written in God's word, "Be still and know that I am God..." (Psalm 46:10). Out of haste, Jesus Christ could have decided to not go through the whole painful process. Instead, he stayed focused on God's promise of glory. In the name of Jesus Christ, let's pray with an honest heart, and with the confidence that God is able to faithfully back His word for us.
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