Foundation of Worth Matthew 26: 36-46 Matthew 26:36-46 — FOUNDATION of WORTH “Jesus Died for Me.”

FOUNDATIONS OF CHRISTIAN LIFE

 PROMISE LOVE MATT. 28:1–10, Matt. 9:9–13 16–20

WORTH  Matt. 26:36–46 FORGIVENESS LIFE ACTS 26:1–29 Matt. 7:24–29

Foundation of Worth Matthew 26: 36-46 Matthew 26:36-46 — FOUNDATION OF WORTH “Jesus died for me.”

Gethsemane Western slope of the Mount of Olives Not officially called a garden, just Gethsemane: it was an olive grove, where olives were grown and pressed for their oil. This activity still occurs there, and rosary beads are made from the olive pits.

Jesus’ humanity— 36 Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” 37 He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee [James and John] along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38 Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” 39 Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”

CONTENT: 1. Jesus chose three disciples to take with him into Gethsemane. They also had ac- companied him to the Mount of Tranfiguration. Who were these chosen disciples?

Peter, James, and John 1

2. What did Jesus say when he shared His deepest thoughts with His disciples?

“My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” 2

What did he not confide in them, at least in these verses?

Jesus did not give the disciples any details about his inner struggle.

3. Jesus fell face down on the ground to pray. Why might he have done so?

t idemonstrated his despair and helplessness. Answers will vary.

What does Jesus’ request and ultimate statement reveal about Jesus?

He will do God’s will even though he doesn’t want to die on the cross. 3 2 APPLICATION: What can one learn and/or share about about human nature, prayer, and our relationship with God from this portion of scripture? human nature — It’s OK to seek comfort and support from Christian friends and confide 4 sorrow to them. Even so, you do not have to tell them every detail. They may let you down in the long run because they are human.

prayer — We can be truthful with God and confess our deepest thoughts and emotions to Him. 5

But we should ask God to help us do His will, however, not ours. 6

Jesus finds disciples asleep 1st time— 40 Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. 41 “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

CONTENT: 5. Jesus returned and found Peter, James, and John sleeping. What question did He ask them?

“Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour? 7

6. What does this question reveal about the disciples behavior and about Jesus? Their behavior was just the opposite of Jesus’. Explain. 8

Jesus stayed awake and prayed, seeking God’s will. The disciples fell asleep.

Jesus needed and wanted comfort from His disciples. He understood the human 9 condition, and thus he asked the three to watch and pray in order to overcome the weakness of their flesh.

APPLICATION: What can one learn about human nature from the disciples behavior and about Chris- tians in general from Jesus’ admonition to his chosen disciples: “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”An - swers will vary.

They fell asleep although they knew Jesus wanted them to stay awake, watch, and pray. Our closest friends may sometimes “let us down.” But such disappointments may be the result of people’s humanness, not bad intentions. 3

Jesus finds disciples asleep 2nd time— 42 He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.” 43 When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. 44 So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing.

CONTENT: 7. What statement did Jesus make to God in verse 42?

“My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your 10 will be done.”

What does it reveal about Jesus?

Jesus’ will is actually to do the will of God, even if it means his death on the cross.

How was this answer different from the answer in verse 39?

In these verses, Jesus did not ask God to “take the cup” from Him (Jesus); thus, Jesus’ 11 words affirmed His commitment to God’s will.

What do both answers show about Jesus’ relationship with God?

It is that of an obedient Son.

8. To what did Matthew say Jesus attributed the disciples’ sleep the second time they were found sleeping?

“ . . . their eyes were heavy.” (tiredness/exhaustion) 12 4 9. How did Jesus respond to their being asleep this time?

He let them sleep and went to pray again.

APPLICATION: What does Jesus’ response to the disciples show us about His relationship with us, His “children”? Answers will vary.

Jesus loves us even though “our flesh is weak.” He let his disciples sleep the second time he found them asleep even though he wanted them to stay awake with him.

Sometimes we also fail God, but we see His tenderness here at Gethsemane through Jesus’ words and actions. Jesus died for the disciples and for us (all who believe) despite and because of our sins.

Jesus finds disciples sleeping 3rd time— 45 Then he returned to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour has come, and the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. 46 Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!”

CONTENT: 10. What did Jesus say or do when He found the disciples asleep the third time? 13

He woke them and asked if they were still resting. He seemed to be understanding of their weakness. He knew Judas and the soldiers were coming.

11. How would you describe Jesus’ attitude toward His disciples in Gethsemane? Do you think He feels the same way about you? Explain. (Answers will vary.)

At first, eh seemed disappointed and offered them guidance, Later, though, he seemed to 14 express understanding of their weakness and even let them sleep.

APPLICATION: 12. This VBS lesson teaches the Foundation of Worth. Answer this question for your- self: “How do I know my worth to Jesus?” To reaffirm your answer, fill the letters in below using the circled/numbered letters on pages 1-4. What will your contin- ued response to God’s love be?

J e s u s d i e d f o r m e. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14

Photo Sources: https://www.bing.com/images/search?view=detailV2&ccid=fRWqD8nb&id=C- 94F79E0A3F49E59ACC99920EE3A9EF949237A1A&thid=OIP.fRWqD8n- bYB4875oSIgMaRQHaE8&mediaurl=http%3a%2f%2fwww.land-of-the-bible. com%2fsites%2fdefault%2ffiles%2fWeek%252033a%2520Gethsemane_0.jpg&exph=4016&- expw=6016&q=garden+of+gethsemane+pictures&simid=608052813525159615&ck=FEC- CEF8E9FDC4F4852DE85A0EE1D23A3&selectedIndex=162&ajaxhist=0

Ray Vander Laan. That the World May Know. https://www.bing.com/images/search?view=detailV2&ccid=fRWqD8nb&id=C- 94F79E0A3F49E59ACC99920EE3A9EF949237A1A&thid=OIP.fRWqD8n- bYB4875oSIgMaRQHaE8&mediaurl=http%3a%2f%2fwww.land-of-the-bible. com%2fsites%2fdefault%2ffiles%2fWeek%252033a%2520Gethsemane_0.jpg&exph=4016&- expw=6016&q=garden+of+gethsemane+pictures&simid=608052813525159615&ck=FEC- CEF8E9FDC4F4852DE85A0EE1D23A3&selectedIndex=162&ajaxhist=0

Barclay noted that “and every man has to learn to say, ‘Thy will be done.’"

Quoted from Barclay’s Commentary of Matthew, Vol. 2:

(i) We see the AGONY of Jesus. (ii) We see the LONELINESS of Jesus. He took with him his three chosen disciples; but they were so exhausted with the drama of these last days and hours that they could not stay awake. And Jesus had to fight his battle all alone. That also is true of every man. There are certain things a man must face and certain deci- sions a man must make in the awful loneliness of his own soul; there are times when other helpers fade and comforts flee; but in that loneliness there is for us the pres- ence of One who, in Gethsemane, experienced it and came through it. (iii) Here we see the TRUST of Jesus. (iv) We see the COURAGE of Jesus...... Jesus rose from his knees to go out to the battle of life. That is what prayer is for. In prayer a man kneels before God that he may stand erect before men. In prayer a man enters heaven that he may face the battles of earth.