Mark 14:26-42 — Jesus’ Gethsemane experience
In His Gethsemane experience, Jesus left eight of His disciples in one spot in the garden, going with Peter, James, and John to another place. Telling them, “My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death” (Mark 14:34), Jesus left the three there. “Watch with me” (Matthew 26:38), He told them as He went on by Himself to a third location about a stone’s throw away.
Alone, God’s Passover Lamb seemed to alternate between kneeling and lying prostrate on the ground (Matthew 26:39; Mark 14:35; Luke 22:41). He begged the Father to consider the possibility of avoiding that cup and hour (Matthew 26:39; Mark 14:35). “Nevertheless,” He said, “not what I will, but what thou wilt” (Mark 14:36).
His disciples slept. The Son of man was left without any man’s support. Three times Jesus prayed and agonized. Each time He went to check on James, John, and Peter, they were sound asleep. He urged them, “Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation” (Mark 14:38). To no avail. They just dropped off to sleep again. Read it all