PRAYING THE HEART OF JESUS (6)

“And being in agony, HE PRAYED more EARNESTLY. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground” – Luke 22:44

Earnestnest in prayer is a crucial feature of PRAYING the HEART of JESUS: “And being in agony, HE PRAYED more EARNESTLY. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground” (Lk.22:44). Luke presents a shorter but more dramatic picture of Gethsemane; one which shows how earnest and intense Jesus' prayer was. Luke’s narrative began by noting that Jesus’ visit to the Mount of Olives was habitual with Him: “Coming out, He went to the Mount of Olives, as He was accustomed…” (v.39). The generic word for “prayer” means to move toward God and, once there, to open one’s heart to Him, implying a regular, habitual act.

As we noted in Mark’s account, submitting to the Father’s Will is at the centre of praying the Heart of Jesus: “not My will, but Yours, BE DONE” (v.43b). The Greek verb “done” speaks actively of: making, creating, fulfilling, performing, and bringing something into existence. Here, Jesus was asking God to put His plan into action; to mold His purpose like a potter molds his clay and thereby bring something new into reality; to unveil the curtain and dramatically stage the startling climax that God had planned since humanity’s fall. He was asking God to release the full force of His creative power and genius. Praying on matters of eternal destiny demand an intensity that involves the entire being! No wonder, “His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground” (v.44b).

Earnestness is a primary proof of praying the Heart of Jesus: “And being in agony, HE PRAYED MORE EARNESTLY…” (vv.44a). Ever since the day He stepped out of the Jordan River to launch His ministry, Jesus knew The Plan. For three years He followed it strictly, continually predicting His passion, death, and resurrection. Yet here in this garden, all seemed so dark and hard, and Jesus groaned in agony of soul! The test in the garden was not a test of God’s power to do the impossible; rather, it was a test of Jesus’ obedience. Sin or disobedience was ready to pounce upon Him, but Jesus did what He had instructed His disciples to do. He fell down and prayed, reaching up and out toward the Father’s Heart. He opened His Heart and in honesty told His Father exactly what was in Him, but almost abruptly tipped the scale in favour of the eternal Plan: “Nevertheless, not my will, but yours be done” (v.42).

Jesus chose obedience. He chose to follow the tortuous Plan. He chose to trust and follow the Father He knew and loves so well. He took hold of His own will, and with a tremendous effort, deliberately bent it until it conformed to the same shape as His Father’s! Jesus knew that God’s Plan – as tough as it sometimes seems – is always the best plan. There could never be a better way. And, obedience to God’s Plan for our lives is always the right choice,but not without great tussle: between willingness and weakness; faith and frailty; strength and sleep; praying and worrying. Jesus threw Himself at the feet of His loving Father; poured out His Heart and soul in utter honesty; chose to obey the Father’s Will, and accessed the strength needed to execute God’s Plan.

Even though His sweat fell like great drops of blood, Jesus was not overcome. Heaven intervened: an angel delivered a message that injected fresh supply of physical and spiritual strength that Jesus needed to accomplish His assignment. Even so, Jesus “prayed more earnestly”! He prayed the same prayer three times before He could move from temptation into obedience! Grace was not wasted or in vain! Through prayer, Jesus found the strength He needed. When Judas arrived with the rabble, Jesus was fully ready.

For the disciples, the spirit or heart was willing and eager to act right, but the flesh – the human nature, its passions and emotions – was weak (Mk.14:38). Praise God! Jesus revived them: “Why do you sleep? RISE and PRAY, lest you enter into temptation” (v.46b).