Striving in prayer

“Who in the days of his flesh, having offered up both supplications and entreaties to him who was able to save him out of death, with strong crying and tears; (and having been heard because of his piety;) though he were Son, he learned obedience from the things which he suffered” (Hebrews 5:7-8)

The Son of God, to Whom everything is subject from eternity, learned as man through his own experience what it means to obey another. His obedience to the Father led to more and more resistance on the part of men and therefore also to suffering in this world. Interestingly, the writer of the letter to the Hebrews makes the statement above in the context of what happened in Gethsemane. Why does he do this? Because it is there that it becomes most clear how far Jesus' obedience went and how difficult it was for Him to endure the sufferings of the cross!

Because of his disobedience, the "first Adam" was told in the Garden of Eden, "In the sweat of your face shall you eat bread until you return to the ground" (Gen 3:19). In Gethsemane the "last Adam" (1 Cor 15:45) lay on His face on the cursed ground - because of His unwavering obedience. The idea that He was to be made sin only a few hours later literally forced sweat onto His forehead, which fell as large drops of blood to the earth (see Luke 22:44).

It is moving to see the emotion and intensity with which the Lord prayed in Gethsemane. We read of supplications, pleading, tears, strong crying, a fierce battle and fervent prayer, so intense that His sweat became as great drops of blood that fell on the earth (see Luke 22:44). This goes far beyond anything we are told about the greatest prayers of the Old and New Testaments. - Yes, He is the only perfect One!

The Son of God prayed in all the circumstances of His life; but the greater the need became, the more intensely He wrestled in prayer. How often do we behave in exactly the opposite way; difficulties and worries often cause our thoughts to be so strongly absorbed by the problems that we lose sight of God. Yet the trials and tribulations we experience should actually drive us straight into the wide-open arms of God! God encourages us to this end and says, "Call on me in the day of trouble: I will deliver you and you will glorify me!” (Ps 50:15).

How do you usually handle it when you are overwhelmed by difficulties? When was the last time you consciously took the time to express your distress, perhaps even with tears and with intense entreaty before the Lord? If you experience resistance and hostility because of your obedience in faith, remember that the Lord Jesus can understand and empathize with you fully!

J.P.S.