“Then Jesus *came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and told His disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” And He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee with Him, and began to be grieved and distressed. Then He said to them, “My soul is deeply grieved, to the point of death; remain here and keep watch with Me.” Matthew 26:36-38 NASB
Father, would I be invited into the garden the night before your son, our Savior was slaughtered? Would Jesus have seen in me a committed brother and son who would desire to walk with him? Be rebuked with him? Be rebuffed by those that I had lived with, learned with, worshipped with, done life with prior to Jesus turning the World right-side-up?
“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.” And He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and He said to Peter, “So, you men could not keep watch with Me for one hour? Keep watching and praying, so that you do not come into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Matthew 26:39-41 NASB
Father, knowing what I know now, would I pass the test? Would I stay awake? How much was Heaven mourning this night? Heaven, where eternal life now lives, suffered the loss of your beloved son. You, I AM, made clear in Heaven as on Earth the depth of your love for your beloved children, formed in your likeness, gifted with choice and irretrievably broken…but wait! You retrieved the irretrievable. Father, would I stand the test? Do I stand the test?
“He went away again a second time and prayed, saying, “My Father, if this cup cannot pass away unless I drink from it, Your will be done.” Again He came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. And He left them again, and went away and prayed a third time, saying the same thing once more. 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. Get up, let’s go; behold, the one who is betraying Me is near!” Matthew 26:52-46 NASB
Your son taught us how to pray, “Our Father who art in Heaven, hallowed be thy name. They Kingdom come, thy Will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.” Then Father, he showed us the truth of this prayer by honoring your Will. Father, I can never be deemed worthy of the love your son reconciled this night. Father, I can only accept and share. I am awake, Father, desiring and dedicated to sharing the Mercy, Grace and Promise that was gifted this night as your beloved son said, “Get up, let’s go…”
Would I have gotten up and gone with him? This horrid night that led to eternal beauty. Father, cause me to see that beauty lies within, where sin and shame prowl. Thank you for the incomprehensible love that this night released.