Page 25 - August 2025 - Truth & Tidings

became the place where, placed under Such perfect harmony between desire
the most intense pressure, the Lord mani- expressed freely and deference to the
fested His perfection. Father’s will should lead us to worship.
Prayer was the reason for the Lord’s The perfect Servant, God’s eternal Son, is a
entrance there: “Sit ye here, while I shall true man. But He is no ordinary man. The
pray” (v32). Taking Peter, James and perfection of true humanity is nowhere
John farther, He became distressed and more manifest than in this prayer. We are
troubled, declaring, “My soul is exceeding left to interpret the meaning. The hour and
sorrowful unto death” (v34). His emotion the cup were not taken from Him. Thus it
was deep and genuine. As with the others,
He asked these disciples to remain at a was the Father’s will that He endure the
certain point, with the added command judgment (Isa 53:10). It was impossible for
to “watch.” this to be removed because God willed our
He “went forward a little” (v35). His eternal blessing, and there was no other
companions were close by, but this experi- righteous way to achieve it.
ence He must enter alone. Falling first to Any notion that this Servant could have
His knees, He prostrated Himself upon disobeyed must be rejected utterly. His
the ground before His God (Mat 26:39; moral perfection would never allow that.
Luk 22:41). But, in this deliberate act of submission,
Having come to pray, He prayed. Here He has left a perfect example for every
we enter the intimacy of special com- servant. May the Lord help us to say, “Not
munion between the Son and His Father. what I will, but what thou wilt” (v36).
We must enter such hallowed space with The three disciples failed to stay alert.
care. Addressing the Father with deepest
intimacy, He acknowledged His omnipo- Returning after each prayer session, He
tence, “All things are possible unto thee.” found them sleeping (vv37,40-41). The
Whatever power can do, God can do. This Lord expressed disappointment, “Simon,
excludes actions inconsistent with God’s are you asleep? Could you not watch one
character or incompatible with His will. hour?” (v37 ESV). Peter had promised to
This is why the Lord also said, “if it be follow into death, but could not stay alert
possible” (Mat 26:39; cp. Mar 14:35) and, for prayer. The Lord summed up the prob-
“if thou be willing” (Luk 22:42). lem, “The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh
He desired the removal of the period is weak” (v38). Recognition of this should
and experience of suffering. The cup refers lead to earnest prayer lest we “faint in the
to the full experience of Calvary (cp. Mar day of adversity” because our “strength
10:38-39; Joh 18:11) but here may have is small” (Pro 24:10). Peter, who failed to
specific reference to His bearing of God’s watch and pray three times, would also
judgment against sin (cp. Rev 14:10; 16:19). fall three times by denying His Lord.
Having expressed the true desire of His
heart, He submitted Himself fully and The disciples awoke to face events that
finally to the Father’s will: “Nevertheless, would overwhelm them: Judas had arrived
not what I will, but what thou wilt.” Three to betray Him (vv41-42). The Lord faced the
times in total he “prayed, and spake the events with the calmness of a Servant fully
same words” (v39). submitted to the will of God.

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