Lessons

Christ’s Prayer in the Garden. The lesson on March 25, 2007 was given by Leland Maples of the LOOPS Ministry and the lesson covers Matthew 26:36 “Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder.” He took three individuals with him as we see in verse 37 “And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy.” Jesus was saying a prayer to his father. What was he praying? We find out by reading Matthew 26:38-45 “Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me. And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done. And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy. And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words. Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.” . One thing we as christians should be able to do is pray but God tells us that even then the Holy Spirit prays for us because we don’t know what we should pray for (Romans 8:26 “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.”) We often say today that there are four possible responses to prayer: “Yes”, “ No”, “Later”, and “You’ve got to be kidding!” Paul tells us to pray without ceasing. He didn’t promise that they would be answered but instead we would receive the peace of God (Philippians 4:6-7 “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”) Jesus prayed three times that if could not drink from the cup. What is this cup? Psalms 75:8, Isaiah 51:17, Jeremiah 25:15, and Revelation 14:9-10 tell us that the cup is the wrath of God! Jesus was praying if there is any other way to save man, please let it be thy will. Jesus prayed the same prayer three times and he knew the answer would be “no”. We find in 2 Corinthians 5:21”For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”