"Not as I will, but as Thou wilt."--_Matt. 26:39._
SUPPER being over, and night coming on, our Lord went out with His
disciples to a garden, full of olive trees, called Gethsemane, where
He often used to pray. He told them again on the way that they would
soon all be afraid, and leave Him; but Peter could not think so, and
said boldly that if everybody fell from Him, he never would. But JESUS
answered, "Verily, I say unto thee, that this night, before the cock
crow, thou shalt deny me thrice."
Then He went on to the garden, taking only Peter, James, and John into
it with Him, and telling them to watch while He went apart to pray.
They were heavy and sorrowful, and could not keep awake; but while He
was praying, He was in the greatest trouble and grief that ever anyone
felt.
He knelt and prayed in an agony, till His sweat was as great drops of
blood falling down to the ground. For He was feeling the sorrow for all
the sin of all the world--the sorrow that belongs to you and me.
The disciples heard Him say, "O my Father, if it be possible, let this
cup pass from me: nevertheless, not as I will, but as Thou wilt." He
came to them more than once, and called them, as if He longed for them
to comfort Him; but still they fell asleep again, though He said,
"What, could ye not watch with me one hour? The spirit indeed is
willing, but the flesh is weak."