John - Matthew 26:36-46

LESSON NOTES AND QUESTIONS

Summary: In this passage, Jesus faces the impending reality of His crucifixion and exemplifies the tension between human anguish and divine purpose. Jesus experiences deep anguish in the Garden of Gethsemane, revealing His humanity as He prays fervently to the Father, seeking strength and guidance before His crucifixion. The true strength in facing life’s Gethsemanes comes through earnest prayer and a willingness to surrender our will to God’s plan, just as Jesus did in the Garden. His earnest prayers reflect the struggle of accepting God's will amid overwhelming distress, showcasing the importance of surrendering to God's plan even when it is painful.

Application: This story serves to encourage believers that surrendering to God's will can lead to inner strength and peace, especially in moments of deep sorrow or uncertainty. It invites them to understand that true cooperation with God may involve personal sacrifice but ultimately leads to fulfillment of His purpose in their lives. This story also teaches that surrendering to God’s will, like Jesus did, is necessary for spiritual growth. It emphasizes that genuine prayer isn’t just about asking for relief, but about seeking alignment with God’s plans, thus inviting believers to live in accordance with His sovereign direction.

1. Entering Gethsemane's Grief and Courageously Confronting Our Struggles

Matthew 26:36-39

Perhaps you could explore how Jesus' initial reaction in Gethsemane teaches us to acknowledge our human emotions. Jesus' entry into Gethsemane reveals His profound sorrow and deep emotional turmoil. His request for His disciples to stay awake emphasizes the need for community support in difficult times. Jesus demonstrates His humanity, making Him relatable to us in our own sufferings, and illustrates that prayer is a vital response to distress.

His request for the cup to pass reflects an honest engagement with God, illustrating that surrender doesn't mean denying our struggles. Instead, it involves boldly presenting them before God. This aligns with our application by encouraging believers to find the strength to be vulnerable with God, trusting that He is big enough to handle our deepest fears and anxieties. As Jesus courageously expressed His desires, we are invited to do the same, assured of God’s understanding and grace.

QUESTION:

• How does Jesus’ reaction in Gethsemane show us that it’s okay to feel deep sorrow or anxiety? Why is it important to acknowledge these emotions before God?
• Jesus asked His disciples to stay awake and support Him. How does this illustrate the need for community support in our own struggles? In what ways can we seek and offer support to others during difficult times?
• **Application question:** When have you felt deep anxiety and tried to handle it on your own? What kept you from turning to God in that time of anxiety?

2. Persistently in Prayer and Pursuing God's Will

Matthew 26:40-43

You could emphasize how Jesus’ persistence in prayer, despite His disciples' inability to stay awake, underscores the importance of perseverance. Jesus demonstrates unwavering commitment to aligning with God's will, despite feeling isolated. This suggests that in our spiritual journey, we may face loneliness or lack of support from others. By following this example, the message can teach perseverance in our faith, regardless of external circumstances. This mirrors our Christocentric focus by highlighting Christ’s determination to fulfill divine purpose despite human weakness around Him. Jesus' intense prayer for God's will illustrates the perfect model of submission and perseverance. Despite His anguish, He chooses obedience, encouraging us to persist in prayer even when God's will challenges our desires. His plea for His disciples to watch and pray underscores the need for spiritual vigilance.

QUESTION:

• Jesus kept returning to prayer despite His disciples falling asleep. What does this reveal about perseverance in our spiritual life? How can we stay committed to seeking God’s will, even when we feel alone?
• Jesus chose obedience to God’s will, even though it was difficult. What are some ways we can practice this same kind of submission in our lives? How does prayer help us align with God’s will, even if it conflicts with our desires?

3. Embracing Peace Through Surrender

Matthew 26:44-46

You could highlight how Jesus’ acceptance of His mission transforms His initial anguish into resolve. By the end of His prayers, Jesus emerges with a renewed clarity of purpose, ready to face what lies ahead. This transformation shows that genuine surrender results in divine strength and peace. The point is that by following Christ’s example of submission, believers can face their own trials with newfound courage and assurance. This blends the teaching and application by revealing that embracing God’s will leads to the peace and readiness Christ experienced in Gethsemane. Jesus is spiritually and emotionally equipped to embrace God's plan—and challenges us to emulate His readiness in our life's trials.

QUESTION:

• How did Jesus' surrender to God's plan reflect a perspective that gives peace? What can we learn from this about finding peace in our own challenges?
• Jesus emerged from prayer with renewed courage to face His mission. In what ways does surrendering to God’s will equip us to face our own struggles with a similar sense of purpose and strength?

• • Application Question:** When have you taken your anxiety to God in prayer and emerged with a new level of peace? What did that feel like, and what motivated you to that level of surrender?