“Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, ‘Sit here while I go over there and pray.’ He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee [John and James] along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, ‘My soul is overwhelmed with sorrw to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.’” (Matthew 26:36-38)
Matthew goes on to reveal the struggle Jesus had to accept the task which lay before him: that of bearing the burden of our sin in his own body on the cross:
“Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, ‘My Father,if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.’ Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. "‘Could you men not keep watch with me for one hour?’" he asked Peter. ‘"Watch and pray..."’ He went away a second time and prayed, ‘"My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.’”" (Matthew 26:39-42)
Luke describes even more vividly the agony Jesus encountered while he prayed:
“And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.” (Luke 22:4)
And yet I know that it is true;
I sometimes think about the cross,
But even could I see Him die,
It is most wonderful to know,
And yet I want to love Thee, Lord;
Almost too wonderful to be,
That God’s own Son should come from heaven
And die to save a child like me.
He chose a poor and humble lot,
And wept, and toiled, and mourned, and died
For love of those who loved Him not.
And shut my eyes, and try to see
The cruel nails, and crown of thorns,
And Jesus crucified for me.
I could but see a little apart
Of that great love, which, like a fire,
Is always burning in His heart.
His love for me so free and sure;
but ‘tis more wonderful to see
My love for Him so faint and poor.
O light the flame within my heart,
And I will love Thee more and more,
Until I see Thee as Thou art.
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