Mark 14:33-34

Mark 14:33-34: “33 And he took with him Peter and James and John, and began to be greatly distressed and troubled. 34 And he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death. Remain here and watch.””

Life has a way of challenging us to our core at times. Even Jesus experienced this. His humanity is shown in many ways, but perhaps the clearest picture we have is when He is in the Garden. His humanity was on full display, and yet He sinned not!

After Jesus partook of the Passover meal in the upper room, He led His disciples to Gethsemane, which means “oil press.” It describes a process where extreme pressure would be placed on olives so that the oil could be extracted. Jesus was feeling the pressure of the Cross in the Garden. So much so that He was greatly distressed and troubled. These emotions demonstrated His humanity. Rather than run, Jesus prayed three times for the Father’s will to be done. Through prayer, He submitted Himself to the Father’s will and was prepared for the suffering that awaited Him.

How do you respond to the emotions and pressures of your humanity? Some run from them, some try to ignore them, and others numb themselves with intoxicants so they don’t feel anything. Jesus brought the emotions of His circumstances to the Father through prayer. We can do the same. Although Jesus was fully God while being fully man, He faced the pressure and anguish of His circumstances through prayer and submission to His Father. May we do the same!

Father, we glorify Your name. Thank You for Your incarnate Son who came to save. He can sympathize with us because He became like us. May we become like Him and face the pressures of this life on our knees too. We pray in Jesus’ name, amen.