The Garden of Gethsemane. I took this picture in February, 2019. Our group was given a private hour to pray in this special place. ❤️. There are actually two parts to this garden now. One (this one) you can enter by reservation and the other you can only see across the fencing because that part, I believe, they’ve preserved believing that area is where Jesus would have prayed.
I remember sitting there with my Bible leaning up against an olive tree with a heart full of gratitude. You can read what happened here in Matthew 26:36
My favorite part of that passage is verse 44 because it says that Jesus went away from his sleepy disciples for a third time and “prayed the same thing once more.” Oh, how I can identify with that!
Jesus was consumed with sorrow for what was before Him. He knew the cross was coming and all that He would suffer and He chose to pray to prepare. He prayed so earnestly that sweat drops of blood fell. I can’t imagine that depth of sorrow.
He had taken his closest friends with him and they kept falling asleep. I can sense the piercing loneliness He must have felt.
And yet, He did not allow that disappointment or discouragement deter Him from his mission God the Father had called Him to! He kept praying! He prayed the same prayer again and again….alone…and when He left, He had the strength to move forward with what God the Father had called Him to….death on a cross to pay the penalty for my sin and yours.
I’m so thankful for what Jesus did for me on the cross and the fact that He didn’t stay in the grave. He LIVES! I’m so grateful to know that I can live abundant life on this side of Heaven and I have the promise of eternal life someday when He calls me home.
But I’m also incredibly thankful for this picture in Scripture of Jesus praying the same thing again and again, alone, and in a position to be disappointed in his friends.
Life is full of HARD things. Sometimes I don’t know what to pray but I keep praying the same thing again and again knowing my Father cares and He doesn’t tire of me bringing my heartache and requests to Him repeatedly. He welcomes my honest prayers! I’ve longed for other people to stick by me, encourage me, and support me in my dark times. And…sometimes they absolutely do! But many times, I’ve been grieved and disappointed by people I love seemingly “sleeping” through my heartache.
What I’ve discovered is that I can count it a blessing when others notice my need, come alongside me, help me, encourage me, and support me. But I need NOT fear when I end up ‘alone’ in the garden with my Father. I need not focus on what others are doing or not doing. The truth is that no one with flesh can really meet my heart’s needs. That disappointment in others has pushed me time and time again to places of honest prayer where my intimacy with my Savior has grown beyond words. He ultimately always meets my needs in His time and in His way.
I want to fulfill my calling as His servant. I’m thankful for the example of Jesus showing me prayer IS the preparation and that even if NO other person shows up, it’ll be okay. He is Lord of all. King of Kings. He is my refuge and strength. He is everything. May His name be praised forever, and ever, and ever!
And you know what? There is no gate or anything else that separates me from going to the Father to pray. I may not be able to get into that ancient garden where Jesus prayed but I can enter into his Presence! I have a standing reservation!
Hebrews 4:14 “Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven,Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. 16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”
Thank you, Jesus. Thank you!