January 13, 2013
What are we to understand from the great sorrow Jesus experienced in the garden of Gethsemane? The answer lies in His dual nature. In His perfect humanity. He recoiled from suffering, yet in His divinity, He chose to carry out the eternal plan of redemption for His people. Alistair Begg teaches us that we can draw great comfort from Christ’s suffering when we ourselves experience suffering.
32sAnd they went kto a place called Gethsemane. And he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” 33And he took with him tPeter and James and John, and began uto be greatly distressed and troubled. 34And he said to them, v“My soul is very sorrowful, even to death. Remain here and wwatch.”4 35And going a little farther, he fell on the ground xand prayed that, if it were possible, ythe hour might pass from him. 36And he said, z“Abba, Father, aall things are possible for you. Remove bthis cup from me. cYet not what I will, but what you will.” 37And he came and found them sleeping, and he said to Peter, “Simon, are you asleep? Could you not watch one hour? 38wWatch and dpray that you may not eenter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 39And again he went away and prayed, fsaying the same words. 40And again he came and found them sleeping, for gtheir eyes were very heavy, and hthey did not know what to answer him. 41And he came the third time and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? iIt is enough; jthe hour has come. kThe Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 42Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand.”
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