Luke 22:39-46 | Psalm 102:1-17
We’d be hard-pressed to find seven verses in the gospels with more demonstrating examples of Jesus’ humanity than these before us today.
Luke tells us it was Jesus’ custom to go to the Mount of Olives. Does this comfort you at all? Jesus is a lot of things, but he doesn’t seem to be a person of pretension or lack of intention. Why did he go regularly to the Mount of Olives? Do you have places that you frequent? Why do you go there often?
Jesus’ prayer for deliverance from that which was to come is an incredible peek into his humanity. One might wonder how else Jesus wrestled with the Father over the years. We don’t have those inner looks, but we do have this one. At this critical moment of the salvation story, Jesus is squirming. Does that give you comfort or make you uncomfortable? Either way, it is a deep look into Jesus’ humanity.
But in the end, his mission and love for the world overcame his nerves.
What an example for us.
Luke 22:39-46
Jesus left and made his way to the Mount of Olives, as was his custom, and the disciples followed him. When he arrived, he said to them, “Pray that you won’t give in to temptation.” He withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, knelt down, and prayed. He said, “Father, if it’s your will, take this cup of suffering away from me. However, not my will but your will must be done.” Then a heavenly angel appeared to him and strengthened him. He was in anguish and prayed even more earnestly. His sweat became like drops of blood falling on the ground. When he got up from praying, he went to the disciples. He found them asleep, overcome by grief. He said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray so that you won’t give in to temptation.”
Psalm 102:1-17
Lord, hear my prayer!
Let my cry reach you!
Don’t hide your face from me
in my time of trouble!
Listen to me!
Answer me quickly as I cry out!
Because my days disappear like smoke,
my bones are burned up as if in an oven;
my heart is smashed like dried-up grass.
I even forget to eat my food
because of my intense groans.
My bones are protruding from my skin.
I’m like some wild owl—
like some screech owl in the desert.
I lie awake all night.
I’m all alone like a bird on a roof.
All day long my enemies make fun of me;
those who mock me curse using my name!
I’ve been eating ashes instead of bread.
I’ve been mixing tears into my drinks
because of your anger and wrath,
because you picked me up and threw me away.
My days are like a shadow soon gone.
I’m dried up like dead grass.
But you, Lord, rule forever!
Your fame lasts from one generation to the next!
You will stand up—
you’ll have compassion on Zion
because it is time to have mercy on her—
the time set for that has now come!
Your servants cherish Zion’s stones;
they show mercy even to her dirt.
The nations will honor the Lord’s name;
all the earth’s rulers will honor your glory
because the Lord will rebuild Zion;
he will be seen there in his glory.
God will turn to the prayer of the impoverished;
he won’t despise their prayers.
Prayer
God,
Thank you for Jesus.
For real: thank you so much for Jesus. Certainly for his death and resurrection, but thank you for his identification with me and his solidarity with all of humanity. I imagine that you had options when looking to save the world, perhaps you even tried some…floods and kings and prophets and all that.
But in the end, the move to send Jesus as your very self, not apart from us, but as one of us…a genius act of love and compassion.
Today, I just want to say thank you for that.
By your spirit & in Christ,
Amen.