PRAYING AS JESUS PRAYED
In Matthew 26: 36-41, we have the record of Jesus praying during the last phase of his ministry on earth to redeem mankind. It was the night of his arrest, which led to his mockery of a trial and his unjust crucifixion. All these were the perfect will of God the Father and the absolute submission by Jesus to his Father’s will. There was no alternative in the comprehensive redemptive plan of the Triune God!
To his disciples, Jesus said: Watch and pray that you enter not into temptation: The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak(verse 41).
He had taken the remaining 11 disciples(Judas Iscariot excluded), to the scene which was familiar to the group of 13; Garden of Gethsemane. There also, he selected 3 of them; Peter, John and James, to draw closer, as he agonized in prayer, face downwards, knowing that the hour of his great mission to the cross drew near. He withdrew a short distance away from the 3, in order to agonise in prayer before God. Jesus focused on his mission and prayed. That was his place and moment of victory. His natural human flesh struggled with his ready and willing spirit. It was very difficult for the sinless and holiest to be treated as the worst offender because of the impending death on the cross; a judgement reserved for the accursed!
Jesus prayed saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done. Having prayed thus, the victory was won. He was fully prepared to go to the cross! Matthew 26:42. An angel came from heaven to strengthen him. As Jesus agonized in prayer, he sweated a mixture of blood and water! Then he arose and went to his weary and sleepy disciples, arousing them. (Luke 22:43-46).
AgapeFocus 
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