The Road to Golgotha (Part I)

Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I go over there and pray.” And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me. Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, ‘My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.’ (Matthew 26:36-39 ESV)

We begin our journey with Matthew to Golgotha here, along the way we shall spot some details that strike us afresh. As we start, it is important for us to recognise that the sacrifice of Jesus begins from his conception. As one author says, Jesus was born crucified. Most important the pain of Gesthmane is part of God crushing him for our sins.

What strikes me most is the Lord's vulnerability "stay with me". Oh, how we all need to learn to say to others "Brother, stay with me". And of course he confesses "...sorrowful, even to death". Jesus is despairing of life itself. And yet later he will say "not my will, but yours be done". The submission of Jesus was not pain free. He was obedient even to the point of death.

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