Before Jesus went to the cross, he took his disciples to the garden of Gethsemane to pray. He poured his heart out to the Lord, pleading that God would take this cup from him. He knew the burden he would have to bear, and he knew it would be great. He was man and God, and the human flesh wanted safety, comfort and protection. But the God in him knew this was his burden to bear. Why did he ask God to take this cup from him? Was it because he was weak? Was it because he was afraid of death? No! Even though he was human, he was also perfect and did not sin. He knew what death meant, and he knew that by dying he would save mankind. He was still human with human emotions and feelings. He felt as we feel.
Sometimes we know that the things God asks of us are going to be difficult. Just because we feel something or question God, doesn’t mean we don’t obey him and his will. Jesus always knew what the will of God meant. He always knew that he was destined to die. So he first struggled through what God was going to have him do, and once he understood the will of the Lord, then he began pleading on our behalf. Before he prays in the garden, however, he prays for His disciples in the upper room during the Last Supper. John 17 is a prayer from Jesus, the son of man and the son of God, on behalf of his followers and believers.
Isn’t it amazing to think about the Son of God praying and interceding for us? That day in the upper room with His disciples and again in the garden was a time of reflection as he felt the heaviness knowing the weight of our sins would be on his shoulders. He longs to see us desire him and come to know him. He took every one of our past sins, current sins, and future sins on his shoulders at the cross. He did it for you. He did it for me. All we have to do is believe it.