Jesus’ Suffering: The Garden of Gethsemane
When Jesus had spoken these words, he went out with his disciples across the brook Kidron, where there was a garden, which he and his disciples entered.
John 18:1
In February 2020 my husband and I had the incredible opportunity to take the trip of a lifetime to Israel. It is hard to articulate how extraordinary this trip was, and the impact that it had on my faith. One location that will stay with me forever is the Garden of Gethsemane. I vividly remember the narrow entrance in the wall and the iron gates that opened into the garden. Inside, there were two dozen or so olive trees with short trunks and dark knotted bark. The garden, slightly smaller than expected, had neat gravel walkways between patches of green grass. Indeed, scripture indicates that this was a place that Jesus and His disciples knew well. I could imagine them walking amongst the trees, laughing together, sharing meals, loving and encouraging each other.
Now Judas, who betrayed him, also knew the place, for Jesus often met there with his disciples.
John 18:2
The word Gethsemane (in Hebrew Gat Shemanim) translates to “Oil Press.” People have been using olive oil for thousands of years. Generally, the means by which they would obtain the oil in Jesus’ time was cumbersome and labor intensive. First, they would gather the olives from the trees. Then, they would crush them under a millstone that weighed 3,000 pounds or more. Once ground to a pulp, the pulp was moved to baskets and pressed again under heavy stones, to separate the oil. Olive oil was used for rituals and anointing, cooking, lighting homes, medicine, and cleaning. Jesus, our High Priest, Light of the World, Healer and Cleanser of our sins, chose this place to ultimately submit to the Fathers will and be crushed for our iniquities.
And they went to a place called Gethsemane. And he said to the disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” And he took with him Peter and James and John and began to be greatly distressed and troubled.
Mark 14:32-33
One Last Night in the Garden…
Jesus did not go into the garden alone. He took his inner circle with Him: Peter, James and John. The Bible tells us that Jesus was clearly distraught, and this part of scripture offers a glimpse of Christ’s humanity. Even Jesus sought the comfort of those He loved in the hardest of times, Matthew 26:38 “Then he said to them, ‘My soul is sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me.” Knowing that the journey to the cross must be walked alone, Jesus wanted His friends near Him while they still could be.
And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying. “Father if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will but as you will.”
Matthew 26:39
An Unanswered Prayer
The Bible states Jesus went a little further and fell to the ground to pray. Surely the disciples were close enough to see Jesus and hear His anguished prayers. Jesus cried out to God, begging Him to let the cup pass. The cup represents God’s wrath; it is the inevitable consequence of sin. Without Christ’s sacrifice, we would be condemned to an eternity in hell. God created mankind perfect, but Adam and Eve sinned, and all mankind became diseased and unholy. We were disqualified from the Kingdom of Heaven. Per God’s law: a sacrifice was required to atone for our sin. This sacrifice had to be perfect and blameless. Since no human could meet these qualifications, the Father sent His Son to live among us, completely human yet wholly God. Jesus was the only one who’s blood could wash away the stain of sin separating us from God.
Three times Jesus begged His father to change his circumstance. This part of the story has always bothered me. Undeniably, God is all powerful and nothing is impossible for Him. Wasn’t there another way? Speaking as a parent, nothing is more excruciating than watching your children in pain. You would do anything to take that pain from them. Unquestionably, God felt the same way. To watch Jesus suffer and to hear His distressed cries must have broken our Father’s heart. However, overlooking our sins and disregarding His own law, would make God unjust, and that is contrary to His very nature. Knowing this, Jesus submitted to the Father’s will, and God allowed His own heart to be shattered to rescue us.
A Heavenly Helper
And there appeared to him and angel from heaven, strengthening him. And being in agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.
Luke 22:43-44
God, the loving and compassionate Father, sent an angel to strengthen His Son. Even so, the heavenly host standing beside Jesus could not alleviate His agony. Through His pain, Christ prayed even harder. The Bible states He prayed until His sweat fell like drops of blood. I don’t know if Jesus actually sweat blood, but it certainly is possible. Hematidrosis is a condition that causes a person to sweat or ooze blood from their skin when there is no injury. This condition is brought on by extreme physical or emotional stress. Interestingly, the account of Jesus sweating blood was only recorded in the Gospel of Luke, who was a physician.
Why Are You Sleeping?
After spending much time wrestling with dread and anxiety over what was to come, Jesus returned to find His friends asleep in the grass. Not once, but three times they fell asleep when they were supposed to be keeping watch and praying. It’s appalling! How could the disciples have fallen asleep under those circumstances? The book of Luke gives some insight to this in chapters 22:45-46 “And when he rose from prayer he found them sleeping from sorrow, and he said to them ‘why are you sleeping? Rise and pray that you might not enter into temptation.’” These verses show us two things: first, that the disciples, overwhelmed with worry and grief, gave in to exhaustion. Second, even as Christ was facing an imminent, agonizing death; He remained deeply concerned for those He loved.
Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!
Matthew 26:26
Betrayed by a Friend
While Jesus was still speaking to His disciples, a mob approached. Armed with swords and clubs, they surrounded Him. From within the crowd, Judas stepped forward and exclaimed, “greetings Rabbi!” kissing Christ’s face, a gesture typically signifying love and friendship. Imagine how that moment must have felt; not only was Jesus betrayed, but He was humiliated. Every man in attendance that night knew that Christ had been sold out by one of His own. Jesus did not deny who He was, instead He confirmed His identity and requested that His disciples be spared. Willingly, He accepted His Father’s plan, knowing that this was the only way He could spend eternity with us. Showing us that we are worth every second of His suffering.
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16
In this season of remembrance, consider Christ’s suffering in The Garden of Gethsemane 2,000 years ago. Picture the garden where our savior was crushed under the weight of our sins until He sweat drops of blood. In that garden long ago, he endured the worst betrayal imaginable. He was arrested and dragged off to suffer the punishment that we deserved. Take a moment to thank Jesus for His love and for laying down His life, so that we might one day join Him in heaven. Thank the Father for creating a path to our redemption. Go out and share this message of love, mercy and grace with the world!