In the Garden

After supper, the congregation sang some psalms called the Little Praise. Then Jesus and his disciples descended from the city, crossing the Kidron Valley until they reached the Garden of Gethsemane at the foot of the Mount of Olives. He took Peter, James, and John aside. There, the door of sorrow was opened wide, and Jesus said to them, "My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death."
The hour of the wicked and the power of darkness approached, and he leaned on a rock and prayed in complete submission, asking the Heavenly Father to let the cup pass from him. The Lord saw the terrible suffering that awaited him, and at that difficult hour, his sweat became like drops of blood falling to the ground. Yet, despite everything, he was ready to drink the cup of bitterness and judgment, demonstrating his complete obedience to the will of the Father.

Jesus prayed three times, "Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me. Nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will." (Matthew 26:39).

Each time, he glanced at his three companions and found them asleep. Despite the horror of the situation, his rebuke was gentle, with a touch of encouragement to stay awake and pray, lest they fall into temptation.

A meditation by Brother/  Makram Mashreqi