The refrain “the hour has not yet come” echoes through much of Jesus’ ministry. But as we come to the Last Supper, we see Jesus prepare the disciples for the arrival of that hour and then turn to face it himself.
The focus narrows as soon as Judas leaves the Passover meal. The disciples are fearful at this point; they even ask if they can bring a couple of knives with them on the walk to the garden (Luke 22:38). Jesus responds with comfort and reassurance – he doesn’t mute the hard things to come but speaks honestly so they know what to expect (even telling Peter in advance that he will betray him!). What is to come is so far beyond anyone’s comprehension that Jesus leans on metaphor to communicate. See his gentleness and love in John 14-16:
- “In my father's house, there are many are our many rooms;” he's a bridegroom, preparing a place for his bride.
- “I will ask the Father, and he will give you another counselor to be with you forever;” he’s a trusted friend, ensuring that his friend will still have wise counsel.
- “I will not leave you as orphans, I will come to you;” he’s a Father caring for his children.
Jesus is about to be tortured to death, yet his focus is on preparing the disciples for the shock of it all. We are so familiar with the scene that we can miss how exquisitely beautiful his love is.
That beauty deepens when we arrive in Gethsemane because we see that Jesus’ care isn’t a result of a steely heart, unphased by what is to come. Matthew tells us that Jesus brought the disciples with him into the garden and then invited Peter, James, and John farther in, saying, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to the point of death; remain here, and watch with me.”
From there, he went on farther and prayed, “Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” He returned to find the three disciples sleeping. He went away prayed again, saying, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.”
After he went away for the third time, wrestling with God about the “cup” he was to drink, he returned to the disciples and said at last, “The hour is at hand.” It’s time. He has submitted to the Father’s will and taken the cup.
This isn’t a big, public moment – it’s a private moment, in a garden at night with friends who could barely stay awake… but this is the spark that ignites a whole chain of events leading to the defeat of death itself!
Gethsemane, probably more than anywhere else in all of Scripture, shows us how completely human Jesus is.
Gethsemane, probably more than anywhere else in all of Scripture, shows us how completely human Jesus is; he wants his friends to be near, he feels the fragility of his soul, he is overwhelmed with sorrow, he is physically ill at what is to come. He is honest about what his feelings are pushing him toward, and yet he is not ruled by them. When he says, “Father, I came for this hour, glorify your name,” he submits; he takes the cup. He is the perfect son of God is showing us how to be perfect.
Jesus’ submission to his Father here lights the fuse that leads to the vast explosion of the new creation. Because he faced his sadness, he didn't run. Because he didn't run, he stayed. Because he stayed, he suffered. Because he suffered, he died. And because he died, taking on the sins of the world, he was resurrected as the first piece of the new creation.
Jesus’ submission to his Father here lights the fuse that leads to the vast explosion of the new creation.
Jesus' death on the cross saved us from sin and brought joy to the world, but it was only possible because of his obedience to his Father. Where did that start? What was the ground zero of that obedience? It was facing the awful sadness at Gethsemane and resisting the temptation to run.
This Easter, remember the Last Supper and Good Friday, but also remember this hidden moment of obedience at Gethsemane, and let the beauty of Jesus refresh you as you take whatever cup you’re wrestling with in your life today.
Adapted from a Seeing Jesus with Paul Miller Podcast which you can listen to here.
