prayer in the garden

And he withdrew from them about a stone's throw, and knelt down and prayed, saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.”

Luke 22:41-42

As Jesus obeyed the will of the Father, to lay down His life for the sins of the world, to face scourging, rejection by His people, mockery, desertion by His disciples, and death on a cross, He prayer this prayer alone in the garden. There, sweating blood and being strengthened by an angel, Jesus prepared to be arrested, tried, and executed so that He could bear the sins of the world. The perfect Son of God was preparing to take all the guilt and face God’s wrath so that those who believe in Him would not have to die guilty in their sins. This is love.

Just minutes after this prayer, resigning Himself to the will of God to be struck down for the sins of the world, Jesus knew Judas would arrive with guards to hand Jesus over the the High Priest. And the path to the cross would begin. Then the accusations, mockery, lies about Jesus, and trials would all quickly procede throughout the dark night. And in hours He would be led up Calvary’s hill to be crucified.

Jesus knew this would mean unimagineable suffering. But He also knew it would not end on that cross. What would seal death’s fate and ensure salvation would be His resurrection from the dead on the third day! Even though His death was hard to face, it would not be the ending. There would be a victory far beyond the pain of cross. And that is the gospel that saves me!