It Was All Planned

Then, accompanied by the disciples, Jesus left the upstairs room and went as usual to the Mount of Olives. [Luke 22.39]

If Jesus "went as usual" to the Mount of Olives to pray, that would mean this was a common and repeated event for Jesus. This would mean He had done it before - even many times. But this time would be different.

I wonder if Jesus kept a countdown in His head of how many times were left before He would be betrayed and arrested in this spot of prayer? It was no secret that Jesus knew His time had come and He told His disciples so. It was all planned.

So this time was indeed different - it was the last time He would go 'as usual' to the Mount of Olives to pray before His sacrifice of Himself for the world. His habit of prayer would make Him an easy target for His arrest. And yet, He went anyway.

Regardless what is recorded that Jesus said in His prayer there on the Mount of Olives, He never intended anything other than fulfilling God's purpose there in the garden. Despite His apparent grief in so doing, Jesus walked knowingly into what He knew was a trap.

I think far too much energy has been wasted on analyzing Jesus' prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane instead of analyzing the clear fact that He went there fully intending to do God's will - knowing exactly what was about to happen.

If Jesus had any doubts about following through with the events set in motion in the Garden of Gethsemane, it would have been far too easy to have simply 'not gone there' to avoid them.

Based on everything Jesus predicted about His own death prior to this event, along with the fact that Jesus knew what this particular walk to the Garden to pray meant this time, nothing will ever convince me that Jesus had second thoughts. That does not change the fact however that Jesus knew 'it was going to hurt.' I believe Jesus' prayer confirmed that He knew just how terrible the events that would follow were going to be - anyone would rather avoid it (including Jesus). But Jesus did not waver for a second - He acknowledged it was going to be bad but in essence said, "Bring it on."

Jesus did not go to the Cross in defeat! He went on purpose! He went in victory!

And, when Jesus cried out on the Cross, "My God, my God, why have You forsaken Me?" He wasn't asking God a question He did not know because He knew why He was there! He was asking the question so those listening would be challenged to ask themselves that question! Jesus knew His death on that cross was for one purpose and one purpose alone - to save the world. He asked the question so the world would contemplate the answer!

Father, Your plan for the salvation of the world is amazing and beautiful. Thank You!