April 2, 2023: Grace Is Found In Prayer

"Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done." And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him." (Luke 22:42–43, ESV)

The thing most associated with Gethsemane is Jesus praying. People readily relate to having seen the picture of Jesus kneeling by a big rock, looking up, praying, and light shining down on him. What happened in Gethsemane changed everything. Yes, Jesus prayed, but what did Jesus receive? And just as important, what did the disciples, who slept and did not pray, not receive? 

A war was raging in Gethsemane. Jesus was in the fight of His life for our lives. Remember His words, "Let this cup pass from me—nevertheless not my will but yours be done." And remember how the disciples slept during this most significant transitional moment of the ages? Twice Jesus urges them to pray, once after waking them up in His darkest hour. His soul was in anguish. He sweats drops of blood while under such stress in prayer.

He received something in prayer that the disciples missed because they slept. What did He find in Gethsemane that they did not? The answer is found in Hebrews 2:9. Jesus found grace to taste death for everyone. He received in prayer the grace needed to endure the cross. The disciples slept and did not find grace, and they were scattered. Don't let Gethsemane be just the place where Jesus prayed. Let it be where he found grace to taste death for you and me.