The Teachings of Jesus

Sermon Eighty-nine

Matthew 26:36-46

(Jesus in the garden)

(part 1)

by

Jim Bordwine, ThD

Introduction

The night of the arrest of Jesus was a night unlike any other. From one perspective, all looked normal. Jesus and His disciples prepared to eat the Passover meal together. A room was secured, a meal was prepared, and they reclined around a table and expected to enjoy the feast. Though Jesus had been saying some puzzling things and doing some unexpected things, the disciples would not have classified this evening as really extraordinary or upsetting. For a while, that was the perspective of the disciples. But from another perspective, the perspective of Jesus, nothing could be called “ordinary.” He knew what was coming, though the disciples did not.

The two perspectives came into conflict, however, when Jesus announced that He was going to be betrayed by one of His own disciples. That was not something the disciples expected to hear, we can be sure. That set in motion a number of events that resulted in this night being the most troubling of their lives. Someone is going to betray the Master—and the prediction was so convincing that each man was forced to ask about himself. Judas knew he was the one, but pretended ignorance and innocence until Jesus dismissed him to do what he planned to do.

Before they could recover from this shocking announcement, Jesus told them something even more outrageous. He declared that they all will dessert Him before the night is over. Whatever pleasantness might have been present when this Passover meal began has now vanished. Another stinging prediction from Jesus—and this time, it is against each one of them. They all protest, especially Peter: “Even though all may fall away because of You, I will never fall away,” he said as he swore his allegiance. That apostle voices what they all believed about themselves—they would not abandon the Teacher, they would never turn and run in the face of opposition, they would remain with Him no matter what the cost.

Finally, frustrated no doubt with the Lord’s repetition of their coming desertion, Peter declares: “Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You.” How serious must you be to make such a vow? Peter truly had no intention of leaving Jesus alone that night; he really believed he would remain with Jesus and fight to the death, if necessary. He thought he was that kind of man, that kind of friend, that kind of disciple. Little did he know that within a very short time, he would do exactly what the Savior said—he would deny evening knowing Jesus who, by then, would be in the hands of the Romans and Jews.

Now, Jesus is finished with His predictions and He is finished with the object lessons, such as the one demonstrated at the meal when He washed the feet of the disciples. The time was growing short and Jesus understood what was coming. His final act, therefore, before allowing Himself to be taken captive, is to spend time in communion with His Father.

The Text

Matt. 26:36 Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to His disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” 37 And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be grieved and distressed. 38 Then He said to them, “My soul is deeply grieved, to the point of death; remain here and keep watch with Me.” 39 And He went a little beyond them, and fell on His face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will.” 40 And He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “So, you men could not keep watch with Me for one hour? 41 Keep watching and praying that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 42 He went away again a second time and prayed, saying, “My Father, if this cannot pass away unless I drink it, Your will be done.” 43 Again He came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. 44 And He left them again, and went away and prayed a third time, saying the same thing once more. 45 Then He came to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Behold, the hour is at hand and the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46 Get up, let us be going; behold, the one who betrays Me is at hand!”

The Teaching

What an emotionally charged scene this must have been. Jesus, weighed down with knowledge of what is to come, burdened beyond belief by the responsibility coming upon Him, leads His disciples to a place call Gethsemane. The misery in which our race exists began in a garden. Now, the first steps toward reconciliation to our Maker will begin in a garden. While Jesus goes to pray, Judas returns to the Jews and, even now, is bringing them to this place where he knows Jesus will be alone—no crowd, no witnesses, no opposition. Here, at the foot of the Mount of Olives, was a quiet place, a private place, where Jesus could spend a few moments in meditation and in prayer.

When they arrived at the garden, Jesus gave the disciples a simple command: “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” (v. 36) Then He took Peter, James, and John with Him a bit further (v. 37). These are the three men who have been closest to Jesus during His ministry. Prior to being called by the Savior, these three had a fishing business. They have expressed much enthusiasm, at times, and much ignorance, at other times. They have spoken when they should have remained quiet—I’m thinking of Peter, of course; and they have requested things that were truly shameful, as when the mother of James and John asked for special treatment for her sons. Nevertheless, these three are the men Jesus chose to have with Him on particular occasions.

They were the only disciples present, for example, when Jesus raised the daughter of Jairus. Peter, James, and John were also witnesses to the Transfiguration of Jesus. It is not out of character, therefore, for Jesus to take these men with Him to a place of some isolation where He is going to wrestle with a calling He knows will mean indescribable suffering for Him.

Already, Matthew records that Jesus “began to be grieved and distressed.” (v. 37) The word translated “grieved” (loopeho) means “to make sorrowful,” “to be filled with sadness.” The word rendered “distressed” (adaymoneho) describes something that is full of anguish. There are three Greek words that describe the state of being depressed and troubled; this term is the strongest of the three. Together, these words tell us that Jesus was nearly overcome with the thought of what would happen to Him.

Here I would suggest that it was not simply the prospect of pain that troubled the Savior; I think He was bothered even more by the inevitable abandonment He would experience when the Father turns away from Him on the cross. That is when Jesus cries out asking why His Father has forsaken Him. That is the torment of experiencing the full displeasure of a holy God. With our sins upon Him, Jesus will know the isolation of the soul that has no sense of God’s presence. That is a torment reserved for the damned. But Jesus will know it because that is the price of our transgressions.

When Jesus spoke to the three disciples, He revealed how much torment He was already struggling with: “My soul is deeply grieved, to the point of death; remain here and keep watch with Me.” (v. 38) This time, Jesus Himself describes His state. He uses a word, translated “deeply grieved” (periloopos), which refers to sorrow so intense that it might cause death. Many people cannot imagine sorrow of that intensity. The closest we might come is experiencing the death of a loved one, but even then, this word refers to sorrow that is greater than that. This is the kind of grief that crushes the air out of a man so that he has difficulty breathing; this is the kind of grief that cannot be expressed in words.

He is grieved “to the point of death,” Jesus testifies. The disciples had never heard Jesus make such statements. He was always the One talking about defeating death and battling against the sinful traits of this fallen world. But now, the Master is letting them see Him in the most personal and vulnerable condition He’s ever known. Jesus has faced the scribes and Pharisees without a moment’s hesitation. He has heard them utter threats and has been aware of their murderous plots, but hasn’t slowed down. Jesus has even shown His command over death by raising the dead without doubt. But here He is in such distress and it has to do with what is coming. And again I would say it is not just the pain Jesus dreads, it is the true cost of our redemption, the true payment that must be made for our sin.

Going just a bit beyond the three disciples, Jesus fell on His face and prayed: “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will.” (v. 39) Sometimes Christians—both scholars and laymen—will try to make this something other than what it appears to be. It appears that Jesus is genuinely dreading the cross so much that He speaks of avoiding it if possible. This is one of those intriguing passages we find in the Gospels where the divinity of Jesus Christ and the humanity of Jesus Christ come into focus.

He is God. Does He not know what has been decreed? Does He not know it must be done? Yes, He is God and knows what has been decreed and knows that what has been decreed cannot be altered. Yet, He is also a man, of a like nature, and He is subject to the weakness of our flesh. In our flesh, we are not omnipresent or omnipotent or omniscient. In our flesh, we know pain and fear and doubt. We are seeing Jesus at that point where He is not refusing to go forward, but is raising the question of the absolute necessity of the cross. “If it is possible,” the Savior says, “let this be done another way”; “if it is possible, spare Me what awaits Me.” I should add that, according to Luke’s account, this is the point where an angel appears to strengthen Jesus (Luke 22:43).

Have you ever prayed earnestly for something, prayed as honestly as you know how, and then saw God answer in a way other than what you asked? When the issue is something vitally important, it can be difficult to accept that God’s answer may be “no,” or it may be something far different than what you requested. When this happens, a couple of truths must be kept in mind. First, the wisdom of God must be remembered. The Scripture teaches that He has all wisdom; His wisdom is exhaustive, meaning there is nothing unknown or unanticipated by God. And since it is His nature to be good—that is, God, by definition is good and always acts accordingly—whatever He decides must also be the right and the best answer.

Second, after reminding ourselves of this truth, we then have to ask “why.” If God chooses not to do what we ask, and we assume that our request is precisely what we need in a time of great trial, then we have to wonder why God responds this way. The answer is found partly in what I just said: God is good and His ways are righteous, so whatever He does or does not do is exactly the right course of action. But beyond that, another part of the answer to the “why” question is that in such circumstances, we find ourselves with an opportunity to mature in the faith.

We must trust God in a situation such as I’ve described. We must assure ourselves that His ways are best. We must accept the limitations of our own ability to assess a situation and determine what we need. When God says “no,” or answers but does so in a manner we did not request, He is demonstrating His love for us. What kind of God would let His people have anything they asked for when that God knows His people are corrupted by sin, incredibly limited in knowledge, prone to satisfying their flesh, and incapable of seeing the entire context of their lives? God doesn’t do that to us and we should be thankful for that fact.

Although He was not hindered by the corruption of sin as we are, Jesus had an experience in which He prayed for something, but did not receive it. Jesus, the Son of God, prays for a way to avoid the cross. God answers, but not according to the desire of His Son. God’s response to the prayer of Jesus is help so that He might persevere.

If anything in Scripture speaks to the absolute necessity of the cross, this scene is it. The Son of God has submitted to the will of the Father, but has asked if there is some other way to accomplish what needs to be accomplished. Does the salvation of the elect require the suffering and death of Jesus Christ? Is there any other way? The Father’s clear answer, on this night, was: There is no other way. Redemption must be purchased with the blood of the Son of God. He, the innocent One, must take the place of the guilty. He must die for their sins; their liability to the wrath of God must be satisfied. So, yes, Jesus receives an answer to His prayer and the answer is that He must go forward.

When Jesus returned to James, John, and Peter, He found them sleeping (v. 40). To Peter, the Savior says: “So, you men could not keep watch with Me for one hour?” (v. 41) These are the men who recently boasted about their loyalty to Jesus; they are the ones who declared they would stay with Him. And Peter is the man who stood out from the others by swearing allegiance to Jesus until death. But when the Savior comes back, on this most urgent of all nights, He finds Peter and the brothers asleep. Could they possibly have understood the import of this night and fallen asleep? The answer to that question is too obvious. These men have promised their faithfulness loudly and confidently even when they didn’t know what was to come. They have bragged about sticking with Jesus come what may, but the validity of their words is now displayed.

Here is where Jesus says something fascinating: “Keep watching and praying that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Who is Jesus concerned about when He makes this statement? He exhorts the disciples to keep alert and to keep praying so that they may not enter into temptation. Would you not expect the Savior, knowing His extreme agony at this moment, to urge the disciples to stay alert and pray for His sake? Isn’t this an amazing example of the love of Jesus for Peter, James, and John? Even when He is so filled with dread that He asks His Father if the cross might be avoided, Jesus is still thinking of these men! They were His chief concern in coming into this world. He came to save men and women just like those disciples, people who were in need, people who were lost, and people who were doomed. Given the circumstances, we have to say that Jesus shows remarkable concern for His disciples.

It is clear that Jesus knows this night will also bring testing to His disciples. He knows, and has already predicted, what they all will do, especially Peter. Jesus doesn’t want them to experience the agony of having deserted Him. He doesn’t want them to experience the shame, self-loathing, and depression that will inevitably come if they fail to remain faithful this night. Therefore, the ever-loving Savior urges these disciples to be alert and to pray for themselves in light of what is to come. The implication is clear: they are in spiritual danger. They have an image of themselves in their minds, but the testing of this night threatens to destroy that image. That is what Jesus means when He says that “the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” The boasting about loyalty is there, but the courage needed to stand firm is not. Pray for yourselves, Jesus urges them.

The Savior left the disciples a second time and prayed again. This time, Jesus says: “My Father, if this cannot pass away unless I drink it, Your will be done.” I should mention that the reference to the cup before and this inference here are taken from an Old Testament concept. The “cup” is a way of designating an experience. It may be a favorable experience, such as in Psa. 16:5 where the blessings of knowing the Lord are described as an inheritance and a cup, meaning it is something the writer will receive. Or it may represent that which is unfavorable, such as in Psa. 75:8 where the wrath of God is described as a cup of foaming wine in the hand of the Lord. The cup will be served to the enemies of God and they will drink it down. Jesus is declaring His acceptance of whatever the Father judges necessary.

Matthew says nothing more about this prayer. He now writes that Jesus returned to the three disciples and found them sleeping once again. They were overcome with sleep, Matthew explains. No comment is recorded this time. Jesus went away to pray for a third time, the text says (v. 44). We don’t know why Jesus prayed the same basic prayer three times. I do think this record is interesting in light of the fact that some might object to taking the same request to God three times. They might argue that if God doesn’t answer or answers in some way other than what is requested, it is time to stop offering that particular prayer. But this isn’t the example of the Savior. On three occasions, He asked the Father if He might avoid the ordeal coming that night. And He received the same answer, as it were, three times.

This time, when He returned, Jesus says: “Are you still sleeping and resting? Behold, the hour is at hand and the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. Get up, let us be going; behold, the one who betrays Me is at hand!” (vv. 45, 46) Even when the Savior warned these men to stay alert and to pray for themselves, they were not able or willing to comply. So many disturbing things have happened in the past few hours—Jesus washed the feet of His disciples, He revealed that someone was betraying Him to the Jewish leaders, He told the disciples, especially Peter, that they would all dessert Him before the night was over, and then He specifically warned these three men to be alert and start praying themselves as the trial approached. Still, unbelievably, they cannot stay awake!

Whatever they wished they had done, it was too late now. The hour had come, Jesus states. The beginning of the end has arrived and the traitor Judas is leading the enemies of the Lord to this isolated location. The disciples are about to be plunged into a situation worse than any nightmare they might imagine.

Application

As I began thinking of how we might apply this passage and about what lessons we should take from it, I quickly thought of a half dozen points, all of which are significant and all of which really will help us live the kind of life that brings us satisfaction and honors God. To begin with, I want to quote from the book of Hebrews:

2:18 . . . He [Jesus] had to be made like His brethren in all things, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 18 For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted.

Have you ever wondered if your Savior can relate to your agony when you are wrestling with some issue that has you troubled to the point of exhaustion? Have you ever wondered if Jesus understands what it is like to face a trial so pressing that you think you might die? You have your answer. One of the qualifications of an effective advocate is his ability to empathize with those under his care. The Scripture says that Jesus, our Advocate, by sharing our nature, has become a “merciful and faithful” high priest in things pertaining to God. Notice those terms: merciful and faithful.

When you drop to your knees and cry out to God, understand that One is with you who is more than an observer. Jesus is with you. And His presence is not due solely to duty, but is due also to the fact that He genuinely cares about you. He is not just an Advocate, the Bible says, He is a merciful Advocate and a faithful Priest standing with us, standing before us in the presence of God. When you pour out your heart, Jesus directs that petition rightly; when you break down in the midst of your trial, with tender mercy Jesus comforts you and protects you. When you don’t know the way in which you are to walk, Jesus lovingly guides you in the things of God.

You need not face a trial alone. In fact, as a Christian, you cannot face a trial alone. To be a Christian is to have Jesus as your Intercessor. And that is a position He will occupy throughout your life. Do not hesitate, therefore, to ask Jesus to treat you with mercy and to manifest His faithfulness in your circumstance.

Another magnificent application coming from this passage has to do with the necessity of the cross. I pointed out that when the Father had Jesus continue to the cross even after the Savior asked if there might be another way, that tells us that the cross was inevitable. If we were to be saved, if we were to be delivered from our condemnation, if we were to escape the curse of eternal darkness, something had to be done about that which separated us from God. What separated us was our sin, which means something had to be done about our sin.

We had no power to satisfy our debt. We were unable to provide something that God would accept as a just payment. There was no hope for us as long as the responsibility for answering for our sin remained on our shoulders. But, in the limitless wisdom of God, a plan was conceived. This plan involved something that caused the whole universe to marvel. God who was offended and who was justly demanding satisfaction, decreed that He would pay for man’s sin. God becomes both the Judge and the Savior. God announces our condemnation, but then takes to Himself our flesh so that He might answer that condemnation on our behalf.

The gospel truly is the most glorious story ever told. It reveals to us the love of God in a way that is unmistakable. Jesus had to go to the cross in order to save us; and, therefore, He went. Jesus had to give His life in exchange for ours; therefore, He did. The cross was the only remedy because on that cross a sacrifice would be offered and the sacrifice would be sufficient to take away our sin. Unlike all the sacrifices before this time, this sacrifice would not be a product of this earth; this sacrifice would be a visitor from heaven, even God Himself in the flesh. How privileged are we to know this gospel and to know this Savior?

Yet another lesson comes from the way in which God answered the prayers of Jesus in the garden. God answered by not doing what Jesus asked, but by doing what was necessary. God’s answer expressed His love and His wisdom. Can we ask for more when we pray to God? If we know His answer will be in the context of His love for us and will be shaped by His wisdom, can we ask for more? I, for one, want to be in the center of God’s love and I want to experience what His wisdom dictates.

And when I pray and my request is in any way contrary to God’s judgment, I want Him to say “no” and I want Him to answer according to His love and wisdom. Isn’t that a marvelous way to live and a comforting way to deal with the tests of this life? Pray according to your limited wisdom, pray according to what seems best from your perspective, but know that God who hears your petition will do only what is best for you and only what expresses His love for you. With that knowledge, you can rejoice in His response, whatever form it takes.

One lesson I take from this story reminds me of a statement found in 1 Kings. During one of the wars with a pagan nation, the king of Israel heard of the boasting of his enemy. His enemy was bragging about how large his army would be when he came against Israel. The king of Israel sent a simple message to that foreign king which read: “Let not him who girds on his armor boast like him who takes it off.” (1 Kings 20:9) In other words, the battle hasn’t taken place yet; be careful about speaking as if it has.

In our story, there is a warning against boasting about what we will do and what we will endure before an incident takes place. This is, by the way, the second time this has come up in recent passages. In spite of the Lord’s warnings, the disciples boasted about their loyalty. I pointed out before that this boasting we premature. Now we know why it was premature. Peter, James, and John could not stay awake even in the context of this horrible night. What good is your boasting and your promises of standing fast if you cannot even keep yourself awake?

The point here is that we must be extremely cautious about building up a confidence in ourselves that leads us to believe we can endure trials and pass through them relatively unscathed. As sure as we do such a thing, we will fall and we will learn a painful lesson about our dependence on the Savior. It is better, therefore, to remain in a posture of humble reliance on Him than to cause ourselves unnecessary misery because we rushed ahead without praying, without waiting on God for direction, without enlisting the help of the brethren. God is glorified by our weakness, so let’s not pretend that we are strong. If you are facing a trial, be quick to confess your need of God’s strength.

Finally, I will point out one more lesson. I noted in the sermon that, in spite of what He was facing on that night, Jesus showed an incredible example of concern for Peter, James, and John. When He found them sleeping and knowing what they would encounter very soon, Jesus exhorted them to remain alert and to pray for themselves. He did not want them to suffer the consequences of deserting Him. Jesus was focusing on their welfare even though, at that same moment, His enemies were approaching.

Jesus loves His people. That is a truth you can count on at all times and in all circumstances. He does not desire your suffering or you embarrassment when you fall. Jesus is your sympathetic Savior and He wants to see you live a blessed life. But you have to listen to Him, as it were. You have to dedicate yourself to following Him. You have to trust Him and you have to dwell in His marvelous love.

Is that where you find yourself this morning? Is your life unfolding in the love of Christ? That is His desire. It should also be your desire. If you are depending on anything else or anyone else for contentment or security in this life, forsake that immediately and cling to Christ and Christ alone. He is your unfailing Advocate. He went to the cross for you. Surely you realize that He will guide you in this world now that He has saved you.

Let’s pray…

Communion hymn

Conclusion

What all is represented in this sacrament? Love, mercy, forgiveness, hope, fellowship—all this is in view when we share this sacrament together. Jesus loved us and demonstrated His mercy by dying for us. That act brought us forgiveness so that we might have our expectation of eternal death replaced with hope. And now we enjoy the fellowship of the saints as we worship and live together.

Give thanks to Christ as you eat and drink. Rejoice in your salvation. Pray with hope that God will continue working out His perfect will in you.

Mark gives us this record of that last meal:

Mark 14: 22 While they were eating, He took some bread, and after a blessing He broke it, and gave it to them, and said, “Take it; this is My body.” 23 And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He gave it to them, and they all drank from it. 24 And He said to them, “This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many. 25 “Truly I say to you, I will never again drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.” 26 After singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.