Station One - Jesus Prays in Gethsemane

Jesus came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives; and the disciples followed him. When he reached the place, he said to them, “Pray that you may not come into the time of trial.” Then he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, knelt down, and prayed, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me; yet, not my will but yours be done.” [Then an angel from heaven appeared to him and gave him strength. In his anguish he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down on the ground.] When he got up from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping because of grief, and he said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray that you may not come into the time of trial.” Luke 22:39-46

Growing up I always put the emphasis on the God-part of Jesus. I wasn't very comfortable with the Man-part. It felt weird to think that Jesus agonized over his impending death on the cross.  Yet Matthew, Mark, and Luke all emphasize how much Jesus agonized in the Garden. The physician Luke, even tells us that Jesus prayed so intensely that his sweat became like drops of blood. So the truth of it is that Jesus struggled in the Garden. I'm not sure how you feel about that. For me - it helps me understand that verse in Hebrews that says that Jesus “in every respect has been tested as we are, yet without sin” (Hebrews 4:15). Wow. We have a Savior who really understands us when we are tested, weak and afraid. Jesus really does understand my human struggles.  He had his own.  - GHT