Holy Week Reflection – Tuesday

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Reflection on the Agony of the Garden of Gethsemane by Rev Fiona Beale. 

Matthew 26:36-46 NIV 
Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” 

Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” 

Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 

He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.” When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing. Then he returned to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour has come, and the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!” 

May I encourage you to reflect, today, upon the chaos and confusion that began that night with Jesus’ arrest. Which is quite apt and relevant to what is happening in our society today, we see moments of chaos and confusion in our own lives too.  Moments of uncertainty, where the future is not clear. 

In times like these of darkness, we all must unite with the prayer that Jesus prayed in the Garden, which is so perfect, in the sense it is a prayer of perfect surrender.  When we feel the burdens, of paying the bills or even loved ones falling ill, there is but one way to properly embrace them and that is through this prayer of perfect surrender. Please, join with me in this prayer As Jesus said “Father, not as I will, but as You will.” 

Let us pray, heavenly Father hear our prayer. 

Lord let us join you and your Son in prayer, as we agonize in this life.  
As we face uncertainty in this world, allow us to see your light of hope within the darkness.  
May we choose the will of the Father in all things, give us strength in these times to go beyond our own capability and to never waver in our surrender. 
Lord help us to choose to stay awake with You and to remain faithful to You always. Give us the grace we need to live in complete surrender to your will. 
Amen 

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