ReAD Hebrews 5:7 and Luke 22:39-46
Imagine the scene with me. Jesus and His disciples have just left the gathering in the city of Jerusalem, the upper room where He taught them deep things about the life with God and the impending suffering He would face. He washed their feet. He shared a meal. The betrayer departed. Then they left the city and walked across the Kidron Valley to the Mount of Olives, and eventually to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray. It was there, we are told, that Jesus prayed so intensely that “his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground” (Luke 22:44).
Amid the anguish, there was profound honesty and deep trust. Knowing the Cross was directly before Him, Jesus honestly prayed: “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me” (22:42). Which of us has not hoped there might be another way when facing some difficulty that has arisen in our way? Jesus, we are told, was “tempted in every way, just as we are” (Hebrews 4:15). It is a gift for us to see the honesty with which the Son of God faces the challenges. But let us also remember the final phrase of that passage. He was “tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.”
Right along with His vulnerable honesty, Jesus continues by offering vibrant trust in God the Father: “yet not my will, but yours be done” (Luke 22:42). Jesus’ words echo His earlier teaching on prayer that begins with reverent surrender to God: “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10). Jesus lives what He teaches even now as He enters into the most extreme moment of His life and work.
If Jesus’ incarnation, including the crucifixion, reveals to us what it means to be fully human, then here at the crossroads of Jesus’ life and ministry we see in His tears in the Garden a picture of true humanity living in honesty about pain and trust in God’s faithful care about amid pain. May God grow us into this as we journey with Jesus.
For Reflection:
- Each Sunday we include discussion questions on the sermon insert that can be used for deeper reflection and/or small group discussions. You can find a digital version online at eastbrook.org/tearsofJesus.
By Pastor Matt Erickson
Family Talk: Holy Week (Week 6)
Object Lesson: Olives (no pits), Paper Towel or Paper Plates
- Young children: Give each child an olive and allow them to squeeze the olive over paper towel or a plate. Ask: What happened as you squeeze your olive? How do your hands feel now?
- Older children: Give each child an olive and allow them to squeeze the olive. Let them react. Say: Olive oil is made when olives are pressed, squeezing all the oil out of them. Sometimes we feel “pressed” by things that worry us. When have you felt “pressed” by other people or other pressures?
Say
Today, we’re going to read about how Jesus prayed to His Father in the Garden of Gethsemane. The name “Gethsemane” means oil press. Many olive trees grew in this garden, and these olives were poured out onto a heavy round stone. Another stone was placed on top of the olives to crush the olives and “press” oil out of them. Keep this in mind as you listen to how Jesus prayed in the Garden.
Read
Hebrews 5:7; Luke 22:39-46 (or read the story of Jesus praying in the Garden of Gethsemane from a story Bible.)
Connect
So many times, we hear of Jesus and his disciples spending time outdoors, on mountains, near the seashore, on long, dusty walks, and among olive trees, too. But, this evening was so very different! Here, Jesus prayed to His Father about a plan they had made a long time before, a plan that would pour all the sin from all people, for all time, directly on Jesus. He would feel the weight of all the sin, sadness, and pain going to the cross. Hardest of all—that sin would cause Him to feel separation from His Father. Like the olives in this Garden, Jesus was “pressed” – crushed by thought of what would soon come. His sweat became blood. And yet, Jesus knew that this plan was the only way for us to be forgiven and brought back to the Father. So, Jesus’ tears turned from tears of pain to tears of trust.
Family Storytelling:
- Parents: Share about a time when you’ve trusted God, even though the way looked dark. Or, share about how you are currently trusting God.
- Kids: Who do you trust? Who do you believe when they make a promise to you? Why should we trust Jesus?