Gethsemane means “oil press.” It’s a fitting name for the garden where Jesus experiences overwhelming sorrow and distress as He submits to the Father’s plan for Jesus to die to accomplish our redemption. The weight of agony presses so heavy upon our Lord that His blood is literally squeezed out of Him—almost like oil pressed from an olive (Luke 22:44). Why did He go through with His Father’s plan?
36 Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I go over there and pray.” 37 And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38 Then he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me.” 39 And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” 40 And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter, “So, could you not watch with me one hour? 41 Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 42 Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.” 43 And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. 44 So, leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words again. 45 Then he came to the disciples and said to them, “Sleep and take your rest later on. See, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46 Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand.” (Matthew 26:36–46)
Matthew 26:37 says that Jesus “began to be sorrowful and troubled.” Why? What is it about this moment that provokes such strong emotions in Jesus?
Jesus prays three times for the Father to remove His burden. But the Father does not. Was Jesus without faith? Was the Father without mercy? By no means. The story of Jesus in Gethsemane gives us a glimpse into the very heart of God.
For God so loved the world, He gave His only Son. This was the price of our redemption. Our sin against an infinite God rightly required repayment of infinite cost. Only the blood of someone of infinite worth could settle our infinite debt. Jesus willingly agrees to this arrangement and throws Himself into the oil press of God’s justice.
Gethsemane is an unsettling scene. We join the ranks of Peter, James, and John, falling asleep when we ought to be watchful. Today, let the unsettling horror of Gethsemane wake you up to the holiness of Holy Week. Behold the great lengths Jesus went to redeem you. Why did He do it? For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life (John 3:16).
Heavenly Father, as I reflect on the agony of Jesus in Gethsemane, I am humbled by my Savior's surrender and His obedience to Your will. Lord, I often struggle to align my will with Yours, especially when the path ahead is difficult. Help me, like Jesus, to say, “Not as I will, but as You will." Strengthen me to stay awake and pray in times of trial rather than succumbing to weariness or distraction. Amen.
