Matthew 26:36-46

Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he told the disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” Taking along Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. He said to them, “I am deeply grieved to the point of death. Remain here and stay awake with me.” Going a little farther, he fell face down and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”

Then he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. He asked Peter, “So, couldn’t you stay awake with me one hour? Stay awake and pray, so that you won’t enter into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

Again, a second time, he went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.” And he came again and found them sleeping, because they could not keep their eyes open.

After leaving them, he went away again 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? See, the time is near. The Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Get up; let’s go. See, my betrayer is near.”

Jesus’s struggle in the Garden of Gethsemane reflects back onto Adam and Eve’s struggle in the Garden of Eden. Adam and Eve failed, choosing their will over God’s. But Jesus obeyed the Father, and chose God’s will over his own. In His perfect surrender, Jesus shows us the way to endure through suffering and temptation, and He empowers us to follow His example of obedient surrender and trust.

Jesus, you are perfect in your surrender and perfect in all you do. Help us to know your presence in our own Gardens of suffering and temptation. Help us to surrender in trust and obedient submission to the Father. Amen.

Whenever you are faced with difficult situations, ask God to guide you, as you surrender your trust and obedience to Him.