On the night of his betrayal, all four Gospels record Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane in agonizing communion with the Father¹. If ever there was a scene to dispel notions of a stoic Jesus, this is the place. The moment of his suffering has arrived. Jesus, aware of his impending judgment, awaits the posse that is en route, led by the betraying friend.

In the center of a forested garden, Jesus enters the valley of decision. He knows the purpose of his sent mission, but the gravity and cruel reality of the cost now settles in. He’ll be taken, beaten, mocked, and rejected on a Roman cross.

Something, it seems, troubles his soul beyond the looming physical suffering. The Christ, the Son, wrestles one last time with heaven’s purpose. The time has come to reach down through the fear of abandonment, and grab hold of the deep, trustworthy love of the Father. Can Jesus trust the Father? Is there any other way?

Finally, after a sequence of solitary prayers, the disciples sleeping freely from such anguish, Jesus concludes in a climax of surrender. The pinnacle of Jesus life purpose, lies frailly suspended on a semi-colon.

“My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.”

Do you see it? Did you see the semi-colon? Rather, do you feel the powerful crescendo? I wonder, how long was that pause? The eternal Son, forever united with the Father and Spirit, chooses to lay down his life, and experience for the first time, the grief of abandonment in an act of perfect, timeless Love.

How long did you pause?
Agony, knocking at the door.
Father, is there any other way?

Your friends, they all sleep.
But the sun will soon rise, your path of pain is now lit.
Can you walk it? Will you walk it?

Grief fills your chest, blood and tears absorbed in your dust.
The stars, they cast their light on a solitary cup.
Father, is this the only way?

How long did you pause,
Son of heaven, Son of earth,
Until your will resolved into One?

May we learn from you Jesus, to trust you in the valley of decision, entering the suffering pathos of surrender. The Father is trustworthy and saves with new life. Each time we are faced with our own solitary path and inward abandonment of will, we have Jesus as our example, and the same Spirit as our strength.

© 2024 Sacred Formation, Author: Bruce Crowe

1. Matthew 26, Mark 14, Luke 22, John 17
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