The Road Devotional | Lent 2024

Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. On reaching the place, he said to them, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.” He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”

An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground. When he rose from prayer and went back to the disciples, he found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow. “Why are you sleeping?” he asked them. “Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.” 

Moments before Jesus is arrested and taken off to his death, he goes out to pray on the Mount of Olives. He takes his disciples with him. In this time of great distress and anxiety, Jesus looks to God for comfort.

Q. Do we do the same whenever we go through something difficult?

While Jesus is aware of what his future might hold, he is both fully God and fully human. In his prayer, his humanity shines through. Staring down and awful fate, Jesus asks that there would be another way. Alas, it is not to be.

Q. Consider the power of these words, "Not my will, but yours be done." How can you incorporate a posture of surrender into your prayers and decision-making?

Jesus arises from what is possibly the most earnest and heartbreaking prayer ever prayed by him to find his disciples asleep. When ahve you failed to carry out what God asked?

God, as we reflect on Jesus' agonizing prayer in Gethsemane, we acknowledge the depth of His surrender and trust in Your will. Help us, too, to find solace in moments of prayer, pouring out our hearts and surrendering our will to Yours. Grant us the strength to utter the words, "Not my will, but yours be done," in the face of life's challenges. May we find resilience in prayer, drawing strength from Your presence.

Amen.