During the season of Lent, we had a weekly study of the various parts of Holy Week using a book by Amy-Jill Levine called Entering the Passion of Jesus. We did not get a chance to discuss the last chapter which focused on Jesus in Gethsemane just prior to his arrest. I wanted to share a few takeaways from that chapter regarding prayer.
First, Jesus found prayer to be important. He regularly sought out times to be in prayer away from other distractions. We might think that as the Son of God, there would be no need for him to pray. He and God would already be in close and continuous communication. But Jesus deliberately seeks out times to be in prayer and make room in his life to share his thoughts, his requests, his thanks, and his commitment with God.
Second, since we get to hear the words of his prayer, we find that Jesus in this moment was troubled, grieved, suffering. Although he fully knew what lay ahead of him, he was not removed from the anguish that he would face. And he shares this with God in his prayer. He can be fully honest and transparent with God even with difficult emotions. And, he shows us it is perfectly fine to share such things with God.
Third, Jesus makes his prayer to God even when he knows that the answer to his prayer will be “No.” He says, “Father, for you all things are possible. Remove this cup from me; yet not what I want, but what you want.” (Mark 14:36) Jesus showed that he was willing to accept what lies ahead, even when it is contrary to his own wishes. If suffering comes, God will be there. If disappointment, betrayer, abandonment follow, he will still put his trust in God. If death comes, he is confident that God will be there to offer the last word. In showing this sort of faith, he reveals what faith can be for us as well.
Grace and peace,
Rev. Steve Larsen