The Savior’s Suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane

Matthew 26:36-46; Mark 14:32-42; Luke 22:39-46; John 18:1-2

1.  Review Matthew 26:36-46; Mark 14:32-42; Luke 22:39-46, making a list of words and phrases that describe the Savior’s suffering. Include in your list clarifications provided in the footnotes.

“began to be sorrowful and very heavy.” (Matthew 26:37)
“My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death:” (Matthew 26:38)
“and fell on his face” (Matthew 26:39)
“if it be possible, let this cup pass from me:” (Matthew 26:39)
“betrayed into the hands of sinners.” (Matthew 26:45)
“sore amazed, and to be very heavy” (Mark 14:33)
“exceeding sorrowful unto death:” (Mark 14:34)
“fell on the ground” (Mark 14:35)
“Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: (Mark 14:35) 
“the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.” (Mark 14:41)
“remove this cup from me:” (Luke 22:42)
“appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.” (Luke 22:43)
“being in an agony” (Luke 22:4)
“and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.” (Luke 22:44)

2.  Write additional insights about the Savior’s suffering in Gethsemane found in the following resources:

                         Mosiah 3:7; Alma 7:11-13; Doctrine and Covenants 19:16-19

     He suffered “…more than any man can suffer” ; “blood cometh from every pore” ; “so great shall be his anguish” (Mosiah 3:7)

     “suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind;” , “he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.” (Alma 7:11) ; “And he will take upon him death”, “he will take upon him their infirmities” , “filled with mercy” , “that he may know…how to succor his people according to their infirmities.” (Alma 7:12) ; “take upon him the sins of his people” , “he might blot out their transgressions” (Alma 7:13)

      “…suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent;” (D&C 19:16) ; “…if they would not repent they must suffer even as I;” (D&C 19:17) ; “…suffering caused…God…to tremble because of pain and to bleed at every pore,” “-and would that…might not drink the bitter cup and shrink- (D&C 19:18) ; “and I partook and finished my preparations unto the children of me.” (D&C 19:19)

      The institute student manual commentary, “To What Extent Was the Atonement Completed in the Garden of Gethsemane?” (p. 173)

      He lived until the Atonement was completed in its entirety. He finished his mission here on this earth to it fullness. He glorified the God.

      The institute student manual commentary for Luke 22:44, “And Being in an Agony, He Prayed More Earnestly” (pp.173-74)

      Christ not only suffered for our sins and the effects they cause us but he suffered the law of punishment for those sins.

      The institute student manual commentary for Luke 22:44, “And His Sweat Was As It Were Great Drops of Blood Falling Down to the Ground” (p. 174)

      The Savior suffered metal and physical pain that no man could bare to suffer. But was more painful them those was spiritual pain. He suffered and triumphed over all the sins of the world from Adam until then end of the world.

3.  Read Matthew 26:36 and the institute student manual commentary for Matthew 26:36, “Then Cometh Jesus … unto a Place Called Gethsemane” (pp. 172-73). Write a paragraph about how the meaning of Gethsemane adds insight to what the Savior experienced there.

      Gethsemane means “oil press.” Olive oil is created by a heavy wait pressing the fruit until a red like oil oozes out. This is in similitude to the Saviors experience the garden as well. With the heavy wait from the sins of the world, pressing Him down until red drops of blood ran from every pore.  Indeed He experienced the oil press of sin through his suffering our sins in the garden so fittingly named Gethsemane.

4.  Write response to each of the following questions, looking for lessons you can apply to your own life from the example of the Savior in Gethsemane:

     

      What were the Savior’s disciples doing while He was praying? What had the Lord taught the Apostles in Matthew 26:41? What does His example teach about how to be obedient even when “the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak?” How does Doctrine and Covenants 10:5 apply to this verse?

      They were sleeping. He told them to, “watch and pray that ye enter not into temptation.” (Matt 26:41) If we pray always we will be able to “escape the hands of Satan.” (D&C 10:5)

      Read Mosiah 15:7; 3 Nephi 11:11; Doctrine and Covenants 19:19. Write the phrases from these verses that describe what motivated the Savior to “drink the bitter cup.”

      Mosiah 15:7 “Will of the Son being swallowed up in the will of the Father.”  He did God’s will which was his will also.

      3 Nephi 11:11 “Gloried the Father” ; “Suffered the will of the Father” suffered the completely and fully according to God’s desire therefore not frustrating the plan.

      Doctrine and Covenants 19:19 “Glory be unto the Father” He knew who God was. “Finished my Preparation” He knew His mission and fulfilled it.

      Write your thoughts about the Savior’s use of the word nevertheless in Matthew 26:39; Mark 14:36; Luke 22:42. In each of these accounts, what did the Savior initially ask for? What did He say next, using the word nevertheless? What does it require to submit one’s will to the Father in this way, no matter how painful or difficult the outcome might be? When have you followed the “nevertheless” pattern the Savior exemplified in these verses by submitting to Heavenly Father’s will even though it was very difficult?

      The Savior initially asked to “remove this cup from me.” He asked if there was another way. However He said nevertheless “not my will but thine be done.”

      It requires a lot of faith to trust the Lord as to want He wants for you. We must love Him enough to do His will and not our own.

      I am trying to do the nevertheless attitude every day especially now with the trail of not having children, living in a foreign country so far from home and another personal problem brought on in my life by a loved one.

      According to Luke 22:44, as the Savior’s agony became more intense, how did His prayer change? Do you feel more like praying or less like praying when you are suffering? When has it made a difference in your suffering to have turned to the Lord with more earnest prayer?

     He prayed more earnestly. I feel more like praying when I am suffering however when I am sinning I feel like not praying. My pride takes over.

      Reflect on what you have learned about the Savior’s suffering in Gethsemane. Write a paragraph about lessons you can apply to your own life from the example of the Savior in Gethsemane.

      I have learned that the Savior really does love me. I must love God’s children with the same love the Savior has for us. For He is the perfect example. Jesus Christ suffered the will of the Father. Can I expect anything less if I want to return to God? No I must submit to His will and be willing to drink from my bitter cup. However unlike the Savior who suffered alone; I do have a Savior that drake from the bitter cup of all mankind and as so doing can succor me in my needs. That is one more testimony that He really does love us. This knowledge makes me reverence Him more and stand at awe.