Devotion:
Read Luke 22:39-62.
Jesus had spent three years ministering to the people and training his disciples. Now it’s time to sacrifice his life as payment for our sin. To prepare for his death, he arrives with his disciples at the Garden of Gethsemane to pray. Jesus takes Peter, James, and John with him, and then moves a bit farther from them, a stone’s throw. Jesus is alone, within hearing distance but alone.
The typical Jewish prayer posture of the day was standing, with eyes open and lifted to heaven. But here Jesus kneels, maybe reflecting a sense of urgency and humility. Then an angel strengthened him, and he prayed even harder. Sweat, wrung from him like drops of blood, poured off his face. Sweating blood caused by extreme stress is a documented condition called hematohidrosis.
In Gethsemane, Jesus demonstrated submission to the Father by praying with earnest, intense, and willful submission to the plan of God. We see him go through anguish as he prayed to his Father. Jesus was strengthened by prayer. He did resist the temptation of avoiding the cup, the death he was facing. He did the Father's will no matter the cost. If Jesus needed to pray to resist temptation, how much more do we?
When we face trials, Jesus knows what we are going through. He experienced the full range of human temptation and weakness, and he modeled for us the sincere, heartfelt prayer of humility seeking the will of his Father.
Personal Worship Option:
Where is your Gethsemane? Where do you go to submit to God in a time of earnest prayer? Your garden? Your room? The bathroom? The basement? Your car? A field or forest? During Easter week find a time to kneel in prayer and submit to the plan of God for your life.
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