Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder. Matthew 26:36

The Garden of Gethsemane is where, as the late Theologian Leonard Ravenhill has said “Where Jesus truly died” Jesus is preparing himself to endure the suffering for our sins and lay down his life on the cross. As Sin came in at the Garden of Eden, Sin is going to be defeated at the Garden of Gethsemane

And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy. Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me. Matthew 26:37-38

Jesus brought his disciples with him, why? To comfort and encourage him, but what did they do? They fell asleep! What is the Church doing today? They fell asleep just like the disciples. Jesus is very sorrowful at this point because he knows what he is about to endure, but he did it for You and Me!

And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. Matthew 26:39

We have to remember, even though Jesus is the Son of God, at this point he is also fully human! When Jesus took the lashes on his back and was nailed to the cross, he endured that pain! He took the penalty for Our sins not His!

What is the cup? This is the cup of wrath poured out by God for the sins of the world! Jesus took that cup for You and Me!

And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. Matthew 26:40-41

Jesus went back to check on his disciples and what were they doing? They were sleeping! What is the Church doing today? Its sleeping, wake up and get your lamps ready for the Lord is returning soon!

What Jesus said is still relevant today, Watch and Pray! If you don’t want to fall away in sin, get with God and pray for the Holy Spirit to help you overcome!

He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done. Matthew 26:42

Again Jesus agonizing about what he is about to endure, the gospel of Luke says Jesus was sweating blood (Luke 22:44) But Jesus said if it’s the Father Will for Jesus to take this Cup of Wrath, then he will drink it!

And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy. And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words. Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Matthew 26:43-45

Again Jesus came back to his disciples and they were asleep again! Wake up Church! The time is up, Jesus has accepted his mission to pay the penalty for our sins! The sequence of events that are about to happen will change the course of humanity forever!