Matthew 26:38-39 — 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.

Myra inspired this piece. As we discussed our morning devotions she said “You know, we all have Gethsemane moments …”. Wow! Regular readers (thank you!) will know that I spent a lot of time reading “Between Cross and Resurrection: A Theology of Holy Saturday” by Alan Lewis. In it, he talks about the idea that we all go through “Easter Saturday” times in our lives — times when something we cherish — a relationship, a job, our health — “dies” and after a “dead” time there is a rebirth. It’s a powerful idea, and Myra’s comment struck me with the same force.
All of us have those things in our lives that we dread, and that we plead with God to take away. Times when people we feel should stand by us are just not there. For Myra, it was the time when her second husband died, and the small church she had been attending just didn’t show up.
Gethsemane moments are not moments that take us by surprise. They begin, I believe, as a concern and grow into the moment of crisis. The cancer diagnosis that leads to agonizing treatment. The marital disputes that lead to the disaster of divorce.
If you know someone who’s going through a Gethsemane moment, be aware that the normal texts we use to proffer sympathy are not going to help. They know “that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28). It’s not the time to tell them to have more faith — it’s time just to be there, as the disciples could not be for Jesus.
If you are going through your own Gethsemane moment, all I can offer you is the memory of Jesus’s Gethsemane moment. He’s been there … and He will go through it with you. “For we have not a high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:15-16)