“Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. 40 On reaching the place, he said to them, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.” 41 He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, 42 “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” 43 An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. 44 And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.[c] 45 When he rose from prayer and went back to the disciples, he found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow. 46 “Why are you sleeping?” he asked them. “Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.” Luke 22.39-46
The pictures I remember from childhood of Jesus praying in the garden show Him alone. Physically, He was by Himself. His disciples were a stone’s throw away, sleeping when they should have been praying. But in truth, Jesus was not alone. His Father was with Him in Spirit, and an angel appeared to strengthen Him.
An angel appeared to strengthen Him. What the heck? That is incredible. In Jesus’ greatest need, God sent an angel to provide comfort for the Son of God. It was probably not just the angel’s presence that helped, but the fact that Jesus knew His Father had sent it. Jesus knew God cared for Him as He stepped into the greatest ordeal of His life—death upon a cross.
When humans fail us—falling asleep on Jesus at the Mount of Olives, or betraying Him for thirty pieces of silver—God does not let go. He was with Jesus in His greatest need, and He is with us, offering comfort, grace, and peace.
Jesus sought comfort from His disciples who were nearby, but they failed. We seek comfort from others, yet God is the source of all our help and peace. Without the Lord we have no rest, but with the Lord nearby we know that He is near.
It is easy for us to place our trust in people, and naturally so—they are near and dear to our hearts. But they cannot compare with a God who loves us, created us, and calls us His own. We are His children, and He is our God. Leaning into the Lord is the only sure path to happiness, joy, and comfort.
When Jesus was entering the hardest week of His life, God showed up. If He did that for Jesus, He will indeed do that for us as well.
“O Lord God, You are good and faithful. Thank You for loving me and for calling me Your own. Thank You for being there to comfort all who are in need and for showing us, through Jesus, Your great love for humanity. For You are good, and Your love endures forever.” Amen.