Talk Together
Family conversations with God’s Word.
What is something you’ve needed to prepare and get ready for?
When we travel, we prepare by packing our bags. When we have a test, we prepare by studying. When we have a big game or recital, we prepare by practicing. We need to prepare for both the good and the hard parts of life. When Jesus was just hours from being arrested and crucified on the cross, He knew He needed time to get ready.
Jesus knew it was important to take time away from the crowds – and even His disciples – to spend time with God the Father. He often went to a place called Gethsemane to pray. Gethsemane was a garden that overlooked the city of Jerusalem. It was filled with olive trees and was on a slope of the Mount of Olives.
Jesus prepared for His death on the cross by spending time with God the Father. Let’s read what happened. Can you help me find Mark chapter 14, verses 32-42?
ESV
And they went to a place called Gethsemane. And He said to His disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” And He took with Him Peter and James and John, and began to be greatly distressed and troubled. And He said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death. Remain here and watch.” And going a little farther, He fell on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from Him. And he said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for You. Remove this cup from Me. Yet not what I will, but what You will.” And He came and found them sleeping, and He said to Peter, “Simon, are you asleep? Could you not watch one hour? Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” And again He went away and prayed, saying the same words. And again He came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were very heavy, and they did not know what to answer Him. And He came the third time and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? It is enough; the hour has come. The Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us be going; see, My betrayer is at hand.”
Jesus is fully God. He knew He needed to die on the cross for our sins to end the separation between us and God. Jesus is also fully man. He also felt the fear of pain and death.
When Jesus faced a difficult situation, He prayed to God the Father. Jesus knew this would be difficult and even asked God to make another way, praying, “Not what I will, but what You will.”
Jesus understood God’s plans are not always the easy path, and sometimes God doesn’t answer our prayers in the way we would like. But, He also understood that God’s answers are always for our best.
Whatever we may face in life, prayer helps us prepare for good and bad situations. Sometimes we are delivered in the way we think we should be; sometimes God works in a different way than we expected. No matter how God answers our prayers, He is always sovereign and He is always good.