THE WORDS OF JESUS
Creative, Causative, Prophetic, Instructional – Part 60
“Remain here, and watch with Me”
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.” And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me.” 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.”
The Words of Jesus, Matthew 26:36-39
Troubled – adémoneó: to be distressed; Usage: feel fear, lack courage, am distressed, troubled; to be distressed, troubled. From a derivative of adeo (to be sated to loathing); to be in distress (of mind) — be full of heaviness, be very heavy.
Sorrowful – Strong’s #3076 lypéō (from #3077 /lýpē, “deep grief”) – to experience deep, emotional pain (sadness), i.e. severe sorrow (grief). 3076 (lypéō) is very intense and hence even used of the pain of childbirth (see Genesis 3:16, LXX). See 3077 (lypē).
Additional Insights:
Mark 14:34 reports that Jesus was grieved all around, i.e. Intensely sad — exceeding (very) sorry(-owful).
Luke 25:44 reports that Jesus was in a struggle (properly, the state), i.e. (figuratively) anguish – agony; the brand of struggle that emphasizes felt pressure, i.e. experienced in an intensely personal way (used only in Luke 22:44).
(Dear Friends: Please be warned – this is not for the faint of heart.)
If you read commentaries on this passage, generally you will find that although most writers correctly interpret and frame this event, they will dramatize and speculate on Jesus’ mental, emotional and spiritual states beyond what scriptures actually tell us about Jesus praying and awaiting His appointment with crucifixion and death. (For just two examples, see The Enduring Word by David Guzik; and/or Biblehub.com Ellicot and Pulpit Commentary).
As entertaining (and horrifying) as this type of speculation is, it misses three vitally important points:
(1) We should be humbled as we are allowed to see the naked humanity of God the Son (Jesus); and by this we are put on notice that our time is also coming;
(2) Jesus teaches us (see Matthew 5:3) that only by being made ‘poor in spirit’, (that is by being crushed spiritually, and being violated in our mind, will and emotions, to the point of death), are we fit and prepared to ‘inherit the Kingdom of Heaven;
(3) This is the example being set before us for our coming test. The test that we also must endure as His disciples. (Seen first in Matthew 4:1-11, as Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tested by the devil – we see the example of the testing we too must endure). In these passages we see that as Jesus is preparing to endure the cross – we, too, must ‘deny ourselves’ and ‘crucify our flesh with its passions and desires’ and follow Jesus in this example.
(Please note, that although we are required to follow in His example, we are never ‘make godlike’. He alone is God the Son, and He alone is the Son of God; He alone is the ‘great miracle worker; and, He is the only Savior of the world.)
The greatest point made here is that Jesus endures the strain, the suffering and the humiliation of death of a criminal’s cross, so you and I can be made whole, made safe and healed in mind, body, soul and spirit. But do not doubt that you and I must endure a similar fate if we are to follow Jesus and enter the kingdom of heaven.
The postmodern church is telling us that if we will but bow our head and pray some simple little prayer, we can be saved. But this is woefully short of what Jesus teaches. (Please watch this short video by Pastor David Platt.
Also read “How Can I Get Into Heaven” and/or “Going to Hell Is Easier Than You Think”.
It is our task to do as Jesus has done, and to go a little farther, fall on our face and pray, saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.
Please come along with me as we work our way through these events and see the glorious outcome of our Journey with Christ Jesus.
Your Brother and Friend,
Mike Young
NEXT: THE WORDS OF JESUS – What Are You To Do With Them?, “And He Found Them Sleeping”, Part 61
PREVIOUS: THE WORDS OF JESUS – What Are You To Do With Them?, “And You Will Fall Away?”, Part 59
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