26:36-40 Overwhelming Distress “Gethsemane” means “the olive press.” It was a place at the base of the Mount of Olives where olives were pressed and crushed to make olive oil. This night, the Lord Jesus Christ experienced a crushing pressure of a different kind: He was filled with anguish and deep distress as he foresaw the challenge of death that lay before him. It wasn’t easy for Jesus to maintain his commitment to do his Father’s will despite the tremendous cost. But it was vitally important that he did, because ultimately his obedience gives us life.
26:47-56 Abandonment At one of the lowest, most difficult moments of his earthly life, Jesus was abandoned by all of his disciples. He had told them to stay awake and pray, but they had fallen asleep. And now, when they needed the spiritual strength to do what was right, the disciples had none left, so they fled. Prayer is the means to access the spiritual strength we need to face the difficulties of life. If we neglect prayer, we are less prepared to respond well when life gets hard.
26:59-64 False Accusations Being falsely accused of wrongdoing is devastating. Christ was innocent of the charges brought against him, but his enemies searched until witnesses could be produced who could justify the death sentence they wanted to impose. When we experience suffering because of lies that people tell about us, we know that Jesus understands because he experienced the same thing.
26:67-68 Unjustly Accosted Christ was innocent of any sin or crime. He was unjustly arrested by the jealous Jewish leaders and brought to the Romans because only Rome had the power to enforce capital punishment in Judea. Roman laws, which allowed for the harsh treatment of criminals, including hitting, whipping, and spitting, were applied to Christ. Yet he endured all this so that he could pay the penalty for our sins.