Matthew 26:36-45
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.
37 – And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy.
38 – Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.
39 – And he went a little farther, 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.
40 – And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour?
41 – Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
42 – 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.
43 – And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy.
44 – And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words.
45 – 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.
The hours leading up to Jesus’ betrayal and crucifixion were filled with much sorrow for He knew what would soon happen to Him. When He went into the Garden of Gethsemane to pray, He took along three of His most beloved and trusted disciples to stand guard as He spoke to His Heavenly Father.
When He asked them to go with Him, Jesus already knew that they would falter and fall asleep, and indeed they did – not once, but three times. After they fell asleep the first time Jesus could have become frustrated and simply sent them away, but He wanted to have them near as He prayed. Although He knew they would fail Him, He loved them even unto death so He overlooked their human failings and allowed them to stay with Him.
Jesus’ love for his disciples knew no bounds. He was willing to overlook their faults and forgive their sins because He knew they believed in Him and trusted in Him as their personal saviour. And He loves each and every one of us just as much! He is willing to overlook our faults and forgive our sins as well because His love for us knows no bounds.
Jesus willingly died on the cross at Calvary, offering Himself up as the perfect sacrifice so that each and every one of us who chooses to accept Him as our saviour can avoid Hell and join Him for a literal eternity in the glorious place we call Heaven. Although his patience with us has its limits, His love for us does not. Click here if you would like to find out how to accept Him as your personal saviour as well!