The Darkest Garden

My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me. Matthew 26:38

An emotional Jesus wrestling with a horrid task is what we see in this verse from the scene that took place in the Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus knows what is ahead of him. From the time he entered Jerusalem on the colt, he could focus on driving money changers from the temple, teaching parables, and eating meals with friends.

Those things were all behind him now. Nothing stood between him and the cross. The trial with the Sanhedrin and the confrontation with Pilate would serve to speed his journey to the instrument of execution. Jesus pleads with his Father in desperation for any other way to accomplish atonement for sin. “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me” (Matthew 26:39).

But there is no other way. Only the death of God’s Son would satisfy the immense payment for sin.

So Jesus wrestles. He knows the truth, the reason for his coming, and yet his human self is in anguish over the levels of pain he will have to endure. This is why he took Peter, James, and John with him deeper into the shadows of the garden. He needed the support of his closest friends in order to meet the assignment set before him.

Flogging, thorns, nail holes in his hands and feet, and a sword’s slash to his side; all of this in addition to the mockery and shame. Jesus understood what the following day would bring.

Here in the garden stretched the span of time between the old and the new. During his last supper with the disciples, when he broke the bread and gave thanks, Jesus said to them, “Take and eat. This is my body” (Matthew 26:26).

And then after he’d taken a cup and given thanks, he gave it to them saying, “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins? (Matthew 26:27-28).

On this day, three days before the Easter holiday, we celebrate a new commandment. The word Maundy, comes from the Latin mandatum novum, referring to the “new commandment” Jesus taught his disciples in which they were to love one another (John 13:34).

The events that unfolded throughout the day on this Thursday display to us both the love of Christ and the new commandment he has given. For Jesus, the day started with plans for a special meal with his friends, moved to a wrestle with God’s will, and ended with an arrest.

His sufferings, even in these hours before the cross, are a piece of our redemption. During that last supper, he instituted the sacrament of communion. In the garden, he submitted to God’s design for salvation, and during the arrest, he fulfilled the Scriptures that had been written about his coming.

According to this new commandment, freedom and love are ours. No longer will sin be our master, because we are not under the law, but under grace (Romans 6:14). The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 6:23).

This was the hidden victory won in Gethsemane. Because Jesus accepted the suffering and pain, we have the gift of God.

Count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus (Romans 6:11).

Prayer (A Collect for Maundy Thursday from the Book of Common Prayer)

Almighty Father, whose most dear Son, on the night before he suffered, instituted the sacrament of his body and blood, mercifully grant that we may receive it in thankful remembrance of Jesus Christ our Savior, who in these holy mysteries gives us a pledge of eternal life; and who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit one God, for ever and ever. Amen.