Gethsemane

Setting and Overview
Jesus’ temptation in Gethsemane is one of the most gripping narratives in all of the Gospels. Even if were only reading it as a historical account, it would be hard to look past the vivid descriptions in it, and we could easily imagine ourselves there. While it is historical, of course, it is not only that. The Gospel writers preserve this account for us because there is great relevance for us in seeing the anguish that Jesus experienced in the garden, and it calls us to respond in accordance with what we learn.

Exposition
Although the chronology likely moves from verse 30 to 36, both Matthew and Mark insert another event in between. Even though this dialogue likely occurred before they went out (Luke 22:31-34) it foreshadows the falling away that begins with their failure to keep watch in the garden, and so Matthew includes it thematically here. Jesus tells them first that they will all fall away, and Peter characteristically asserts that even if everyone else fell away, he never would. Jesus refutes him by prophesying that Peter himself would deny Jesus three times that night, and when Peter replies that he is ready to die or go to prison (Luke 22:33) it shows that he is not anticipating the nature of the temptation that he will face. He will indeed fall away, but Jesus also tells them that the falling away was actually prophesied (Zechariah 13:7) and therefore has a purpose. The scattering will lead some to be completely cut off, but for others to be restored and refined, and Jesus points forward to that restoration by mentioning that he will go ahead of them to Galilee. They will once again follow him.
Before the restoration, however, they will fall away, and we see the first hints of that in Gethsemane, a garden or grove on the Mount of Olives (Luke 22:39) with which they were very familiar (John 18:2.) Jesus first tells the disciples to wait while he goes to pray alone, but then he takes the inner circle of Peter, James, and John with him. It is only when the four of them are alone that we see his emotions revealed, both in the narration and in his own words. Matthew alone preserves the words “with me” when he asks them to stay awake, indicated that their presence, even at a distance, is a comfort to him at this time. He nevertheless needs solitude to pray to the Father and so he both prays that the cup of the wrath of the Father would pass from him if it is possible, but also that the Father’s will be done. Because there is no way for the Father’s plan to be carried out without the Jesus suffering that wrath, we likewise see the later prayer also show his acknowledgement that that is the path that he must take.
In the meantime, the disciples cannot stay awake and so Jesus both rebukes them when he returns to find them sleeping, but also gently acknowledges the weakness of the flesh. They didn’t desire or intend to let Jesus down, but they did nonetheless and greater tests are coming, and Jesus instructs them to pray that they will not succumb to temptation (I Corinthians 10:13.) After he finds them asleep after the second time, the disciples do not know what to say (Mark 14:40) and then after the third time, there is no longer any room to let them continue to sleep. He calls them at that point to wake up (Mark 14:41) and we see him resolutely face his betrayer.

Examination and Application
Jesus anguish in Gethsemane is a gripping story, but far more importantly, it is relevant for us and calls us to response. The author of Hebrews reflects on the temptation of the Jesus faced and declares that to be the reason that we can have confidence in his compassion and mercy toward those who come to him for intercession, and thus the reason that we can draw near to him with confidence (Hebrews 2:17-18, 4:14-5:2.) This in no way lessens the commitment that is pictured in coming to Jesus (Matthew 10:26-27,) but it removes any question of whether the invitation is open to all. As we Jesus’ suffer the anguish of temptation in the garden, and as we see the concern and sympathy that he demonstrates toward his disciples even as they fail him at this most critical time, we can likewise know that is how that he deals as high priest with all who come humbly and wholeheartedly to him to find grace (Hebrews 5:2.)