Matthew 26:36-56There was something strangely significant even in the name of the place where Jesus endured His midnight agony. Gethsemane means oil press. It was the place where oil was crushed out of the olives. Olive oil was very valuable. It was used chiefly for food and for lighting. The sufferings of Christ have yielded the highest blessings to the world - food for men's souls, and light to shine in darkness.We cannot begin to understand the anguish of Christ that night. He said, "My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death." We should take off our shoes as we stand by the edge of the scene. Some of the elements of His suffering, however, may be suggested. Before Him lay the betrayal, the arrest, the trial, and then death on the cross. By his pre-vision, He saw all these cruelties and tortures. Another element of His suffering lay in the falseness of the human hearts about Him. There were the traitorous kiss of Judas, the denial of Peter, the desertion by the other disciples, the rejection and crucifixion by the people He had come to save. All this, He saw from Gethsemane. But that which made the essence of the anguish that night - was that He died for sin. "The Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all" (Is. 53:6). What that meant - we never can know. He was dying, the just for the unjust. He bore our sin in His own body on the tree. We may not try to fathom the mystery - but the fact we should never allow to be forgotten.The humanness of Jesus also appears in the Garden. He craved the sympathy of His friends in His suffering. While they could not lessen the anguish nor bear any part of it for Him; feeling with Him, would make Him stronger to endure. There is a picture which shows two women seated side by side. One is in deep sorrow. Some great grief has fallen upon her heart and crushed it. Her face tells of deepest affliction. The other woman has come in from without. She is sitting beside the sufferer, in silence, holding her hand, while her face expresses deep sympathy. The near presence of one we love when we are in any trial, makes us stronger to endure. This suggests one way in which we may do good. True sympathy with those in trouble, is often the best service we can render them.No longer does Jesus Himself need that we should watch with Him - but in his little ones, He is ever saying to us, "Tarry here, and watch with Me." While Jesus wanted His friends near to Him - yet they could not share the actual experience of that hour. "He went a little further, and fell on His face, and prayed." We, too, must meet all our deepest experiences alone. Even our most tender human friends, we must leave back a little way. In sorrow, others may hold our hands and we may lean upon their strong arm for support; but that is all - the sorrow itself we must endure without companionship. No one can take our pain and bear it or our sorrow and endure it.<div class="center-it mtb10">The prayer which Jesus offered in the Garden was very intense, "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me." Without attempting to fathom the mystery of His experience as He prayed this prayer, we get some suggestions from it for ourselves. For one thing, in all our troubles - we should seek refuge in prayer. There is no other place to go. "Being in agony - He prayed" (see Luke 22:44). He let His heart - cries go out in pleadings and supplications. Whatever our trial may be, it is a comfort to know that we may take it to God in prayer.</div>Another lesson is that however earnest we may be in our pleading, we must always submit our requests to the will of God. "Nevertheless, not as I will - but as You will." How can we know what is best? Even Jesus in His anguish would not trust His own judgment - but said, "If it is possible - as You will." Our prayers should always be modeled on our Master's. Anything but God's will - would be a mistake. It may be that the sorrow from which we implore God to save us - is bringing blessings we could not afford to miss. So we can only safely leave all to Him.It was a bitter disappointment to our Savior when, after His first great struggle, He returned to the disciples and found them asleep. He had longed for their sympathy. He felt that if they were waking and watching - He would be stronger to endure the anguish. He came back seeking refreshment and renewal of strength from their sympathy. Instead of watching, however, the disciples were sleeping! We may not chide them, however. How is it with ourselves? Jesus is ever setting us to watch with Him and for Him. Does He always find us awake when He comes? Is He never disappointed in us? Do we never lose interest in His service?He showed the pain of His disappointment in the way He spoke to the disciples. "What, could you not watch with Me for one hour?" It was to Peter He said this especially, because Peter was the one who had boasted but a little while before, that whatever others might do - he would be loyal. The time they were expected to watch, was short - only "one hour." It is very sad that the help Jesus craved that night from His own disciples, they failed to give Him. He is calling us to watch with Him. Even in His Divine glory, He still craves human affection, trust and faithfulness. We still may grieve His heart, by lack of fidelity. We have constant opportunity of watching with Christ. There always are those that need our sympathy, our cheer, our encouragement, and our help. The disciples that night lost an opportunity of lightening their Master's load in His darkest hour. Let us not fail Christ in loyalty, in affection, in service.Even in the midst of His own aguish He thought of His disciples in their danger - and sought their safety. "Watch and pray, that you enter not into temptation." It is not enough to pray, that you "enter not into temptation." It is not enough to pray without watching. An army in the enemy's country never rests a moment without its encircling line of pickets, keeping watch at every point against danger, and reporting instantly every indication of a hostile movement. We are living in the enemy's country, and we dare not pass an hour without watching. But watching is not enough, for we are not able to guard ourselves in danger. Hence we need also to pray continually, asking God to protect us. God means for us to keep our wits about us as we pray, as well as call to Him for help. "Watch and pray!"When Jesus prayed the second time, the form of His pleading was modified. "My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it - may your will be done." While the prayer was not answered directly, the Suppliant was growing stronger, and His will was coming more and more into acquiescence with the Father's will. This is often the way our prayers are answered. The things we ask for are not given to us - but we are strengthened so as to accept the pain and endure it.Very sad was the word which Jesus spoke when He returned to His disciples the last time, "Are you still sleeping and resting?" Their opportunity for watching with Him was now gone. He did not need them anymore, because the struggle was over. Waking now would do no good, and they might as well sleep on. There is a time for each duty - and the time soon passes. The time to show sympathy with a suffering friend or neighbor - is while the suffering is being endured. There is no use in our coming next day - when the need is past. The time to watch against a danger - is when the danger is impending; there is no use to wake up - when its work is done. Watching then will not undo the evil. We may almost as well then sleep on, and take our rest.The betrayal of Jesus is graphically described in Matthew's gospel. It was "one of the twelve" who did it. This makes it terribly sad. It was a strange place to see a disciple - one who had lived with Jesus in such close relations, eating with Him, enjoying all the confidences of His friendship - acting now as guide to those who came to arrest his Master. The kiss, which was the honored token of affection and the sacred seal of friendship, became in this case the token of disloyalty and the sign of treason! The last word Jesus spoke to Judas shows love, ready even then to accept the traitorous disciple. "Friend, do what you came for."There was a bewildered attempt by the disciples to defend their Lord against those who had laid hands upon Him. But they did not know what they were doing. They were loyal and devoted - but powerless in their fright and confusion. Quickly Jesus bade them put away their swords. He was not dependent on human force. He could by a word have had legions of angels sent to His defense. But that was not God's way. His hour had come."Then all the disciples forsook Him, and fled." Shall we call them cowards and chide them with abandoning their Lord? Yes - but their Lord was infinitely patient with them.

A unique type of devotional from the writings of James Russell Miller, published between 1908 and 1913.

Devotional Hours Within the Bible

Matthew 26:36-56

Jesus in Gethsemane 

Why do you sleep? Rise and pray, lest you enter into temptation. § The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. Two things I request of You (deprive me not before I die): remove falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches– feed me with the food allotted to me; lest I be full and deny You, and say, “Who is the Lord?” Or lest I be poor and steal, and profane the name of my God. The Lord shall preserve you from all evil; He shall preserve your soul. § I will deliver you from the hand of the wicked, and I will redeem you from the grip of the terrible. § He who has been born of God keeps himself, and the wicked one does not touch him. Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. § The Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations.

Daily Light on the Daily Path or Daily Light is a Christian daily devotional scripture reading published by Bagster & Sons about 1875. It has been reprinted continually since then. It consists of brief groupings of scripture passages which speak to prominent Biblical themes—two themes (morning and evening) for each day of the year. It appends no commentary, but simply allows scripture to speak for itself.

Morning Daily Light

 Oh … that You would keep me from evil. 

The Helper, the Holy Spirit. § Do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God? § It is God who works in you. We do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust. § A bruised reed He will not break, and smoking flax He will not quench. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters.

Evening Daily Light

 The Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. 

Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. § Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving. § [Cast] all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith. Why do you call Me “Lord, Lord,” and not do the things which I say? § But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. Why do you cry to Me? Tell the children of Israel to go forward. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

 We made our prayer to our God,and … set a watch against them. 

He knows the way that I take. § O Lord, You have searched me and known me. You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off. You comprehend my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways … Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? … If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there Your hand shall lead me, and Your right hand shall hold me. Elijah was a man with a nature like ours. § The fear of man brings a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe. § Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; for the Lord upholds him with His hand. § A righteous man may fall seven times and rise again. Let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. § The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. § As a father pities his children, so the Lord pities those who fear Him.

 What are you doing here, Elijah? 

In the way of Your judgments, O Lord, we have waited for You; the desire of our soul is for Your name and for the remembrance of You. With my soul I have desired You in the night, yes, by my spirit within me I will seek You early. I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find … For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. § The flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. § Our sufficiency is from God. § My grace is sufficient for you.

 The spirit indeed is willing,but the flesh is weak. 

Be of good courage, and let us be strong for our people and for the cities of our God. And may the Lord do what is good in His sight. § We made our prayer to our God, and … set a watch against them day and night. Not everyone who says to Me, “Lord, Lord,” shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. § If anyone wills to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God. § Let us know, let us pursue the knowledge of the Lord. Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. § Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. § Not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord. Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees. Say to those who are fearful-hearted, “Be strong, do not fear!”

 Why do you cry to Me? Tell the children of Israel to go forward. 

41 <woj>“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”</woj>

<woj>“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.<cr>1</cr> The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”</woj>

Matthew 26:41

 41 “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.   The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

From Wikipedia: 

The New International Version (NIV) is an English translation of the Bible first published in 1978 by Biblica (formerly the International Bible Society). The NIV was published to meet the need for a modern translation done by Bible scholars using the earliest, highest quality manuscripts available. Of equal importance was that the Bible be expressed in broadly understood modern English.

The NIV is published by Zondervan in the United States and Hodder & Stoughton in the UK. The NIV was updated in 1984 and 2011 and has become one of the most popular and best-selling modern translations.

OT: Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia; additional sources;
NT: UBS Greek New Testament; Novum Testamentum Graece; additional sources;

New International Version

 “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

<woj>“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”</woj>

 “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.   The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

Bible Verse of the Day

April 23, 2000

Matthew 26:41 NIV

Verse by Verse Bible Study

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