Jesus in the Garden- Day 14

In the Garden of Gethsemane, we see Jesus as fully human, experiencing deep human emotions.  He is "deeply grieved, even to death."  He knows what is coming, and it upsets him.  He is "distressed and agitated."  In his time of deepest need, he turns to his Father in prayer.  He is honest in his prayer.  He would prefer that the suffering ahead could be taken away.  "Abba, Father, for you all things are possible; remove this cup from me."  But, he also know he must do what the Father wills.  "Yet not what I want, but what you want." 

The devotion suggests that this is a time of testing and trial for Jesus, much like when he was tempted by Satan in the wilderness.  In Mel Gibson's, "The Passion of the Christ," I remember he portrayed the serpent in the Garden of Gethsemane, tempting Jesus.  Jesus crushes the serpents head, dramatically overcoming the temptation.  Undoubtedly, Satan was present, with all the forces of evil, but Jesus stood strong, determined above all else to do the Father's will.

I'm also struck by the contrast between Jesus  and the three disciples who went with him.  Jesus is spiritually alert, sharp, engaged in battle with the forces of evil that would have him disobey the Father.  The disciples fall asleep, unable to watch with him even for one hour.  Perhaps that is the greatest temptation we face- spiritual complacency.  We get tired and lazy, losing our focus and letting other things take us away from God.  Maybe that's the lesson for today.  As Jesus prayed and gave his full attention to the Father in the garden, so might we place our full trust and faith in God this day as well.