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.
