It was night. The sky was dark, and the stars twinkled above the trees. Jesus went into a garden with his friends. The garden was called Gethsemane. There they wanted to pray.
Jesus felt very sad. His heart was heavy, like a stone in water. He knew that something difficult was about to happen. He said to his friends, “Stay here and watch with me.”
Then Jesus went a little further. He knelt down and prayed: “Father, if it is possible, do not let the difficult happen. But not what I want, but what you want.”
When Jesus went back to his friends, they were asleep. Her eyes were heavy with fatigue. Jesus woke them up and said, “Stay awake and pray!” But when he prayed again and then returned, they slept again. Three times Jesus woke them up, but they could not stay awake.
You could hear footsteps. Many men with torches and sticks came. In front of them walked Judas, one of Jesus’ friends. Judas kissed Jesus on the cheek. This was the sign for the men to arrest Jesus.
Jesus’ friends became very afraid. One of them drew a sword to defend Jesus. But Jesus said, “Put away your sword. I have to do what my father wants.”
Then the men took Jesus with them. His friends ran away because they were afraid. Jesus was now all alone. But he knew that God was still with him.
Questions to think about
What did Jesus do when he was sad?
Have you ever prayed when you were afraid?
Message of history
When we are afraid or sad, we can always talk to God. He listens to us and is with us.
Bible passage
The story of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane: Prayer and Betrayal is found in Matthew 26:36-46.
Matthew 26:36-46 (Schlachter 2000):
*”Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane and said to the disciples, ‘Sit here until I have gone and prayed there.’ And he took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee with him, and began to grieve and be afraid. Then he said to them, “My soul is deeply grieved unto death; stay here and watch with me!
And he went a little farther, fell on his face, prayed, and said, “My father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; but not as I will, but as you will!
And he comes to the disciples and finds them asleep; and he said to Peter, “Can you not watch with me for an hour?” Watch and pray so that you do not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.
Again, for the second time, he went and prayed, saying, “My Father, if this cup cannot pass without me drinking it, let your will be done.”
And he comes and finds her asleep again; for her eyes had become heavy.
And he left her, and went again, and prayed the third time, and spoke the same words.
Then he comes to his disciples and says to them, “Oh, will you sleep and rest any longer? Behold, the hour is near, and the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners.
Get up, let’s go! Behold, he who betrays me is at hand.” *
