The Savior's Suffering in Gethsemane

1.   Review Matthew 26:36-46; Mark 14:32-42; Luke 22:39-46, making a list of words and phrases that describe the Savior’s suffering. Include in your list clarifications provided in the footnotes.
List or Words:
- distressed
- troubled
- sorrowful
- very heavy
- deeply grieved
-pain

2.   Write additional insights about the Savior’s suffering in Gethsemane found in the following resources:

·         Mosiah 3:7; Alma 7:11-13; Doctrine and Covenants 19:16-19
Mosiah 3:7 – He will suffer more than any man can because of wickedness and sins of us
Alma 7:11-13 – He atoned for us not only for our sins, but for sadness and sorrows that we will experience.  He did this so that he would be able to succor us.
Doctrine and Covenants 19:16-19 – He suffered so that we could repent and if we don’t, we will have to suffer as he did.

·         The institute student manual commentary, “To What Extent Was the Atonement Completed in the Garden of Gethsemane?” (p. 173)
The Atonement was necessary for the plan of God to be fulfilled.  The Savior experienced his Father withdrawing his immediate presence and that was excruciating.

·         The institute student manual commentary for Luke 22:44, “And Being in an Agony, He Prayed More Earnestly” (pp.173-74)
Jesus learned perfect obedience while he was performing the Atonement.  As he was supported by an angel, he prayed more earnestly to his Father.  Although we was in agony unfathomable by anyone else, he was still willing to do the Father’s will.

·         The institute student manual commentary for Luke 22:44, “And His Sweat Was As It Were Great Drops of Blood Falling Down to the Ground” (p. 174)
No other person could have done this, no matter their strength.  He was in every sort of pain imaginable – physical, emotional, spiritual.  He was in so much agony that he bled from each pore and death was a welcome sight. 

3.   Read Matthew 26:36 and the institute student manual commentary for Matthew 26:36, “Then Cometh Jesus … unto a Place Called Gethsemane” (pp. 172-73). Write a paragraph about how the meaning of Gethsemane adds insight to what the Savior experienced there.
Gethsemane means oil press and there was a mill maintained there.  What they do with the olives is literally extract oil from them.  It was a place where Jesus would go often to pray.  This makes the place more meaningful, not only because it was the place where Jesus offered his biggest prayer to the Father, but where he was literally weighed down with the sins, abominations, and infirmities of the world.  Because of that burden, blood was extracted from his body because of such weight and suffering.

4.   Write response to each of the following questions, looking for lessons you can apply to your own life from the example of the Savior in Gethsemane:

·         What were the Savior’s disciples doing while He was praying?  The disciples had fallen asleep while he was in the Garden. What had the Lord taught the Apostles in Matthew 26:41? He taught them that they need to watch and pray, so as to not enter into temptation.  The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.  What does His example teach about how to be obedient even when “the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak?” His Atonement is a perfect example.  Despite his mortal body, he was able to complete such a task because of his willing spirit.  How does Doctrine and Covenants 10:5 apply to this verse?  It says that prayer will help us conquer Satan and escape temptation.

·         Read Mosiah 15:7; 3 Nephi 11:11; Doctrine and Covenants 19:19. Write the phrases from these verses that describe what motivated the Savior to “drink the bitter cup.”
Mosiah 15:7 – Giving up his will for the Father’s
3 Nephi 11:11 – To do the Father’s will
Doctrine and Covenants 19:19 – To give glory to the Father

·         Write your thoughts about the Savior’s use of the word nevertheless in Matthew 26:39; Mark 14:36; Luke 22:42. In each of these accounts, what did the Savior initially ask for? He asks for the cup to be removed from him.  What did He say next, using the word nevertheless? Not his will, but the Father’s be done.  What does it require to submit one’s will to the Father in this way, no matter how painful or difficult the outcome might be? It requires dedication, faith, becoming a disciple and standing as a witness of Him, always.  When have you followed the “nevertheless” pattern the Savior exemplified in these verses by submitting to Heavenly Father’s will even though it was very difficult?  When I was thinking about going on a mission, I justified that if I didn’t go, it wouldn’t because I was scared.  But, I was justifying it and once I let go of those fears and listened to what the Spirit was trying to tell me, I decided to go, even though I was scared.  That has been one of the biggest ‘nevertheless’ moments I’ve had in my life.

·         According to Luke 22:44, as the Savior’s agony became more intense, how did His prayer change? He prayed more earnestly, despite the more intense agony.  Do you feel more like praying or less like praying when you are suffering? When I’m suffering, I do feel like I pray more earnestly because I know at that point, it can only be God who can help me endure the pain.  When has it made a difference in your suffering to have turned to the Lord with more earnest prayer?  I notice a difference immediately.  And although I’m not always coherent, I know that something has changed and I know that I’m not alone in what is happening to me.

Reflect on what you have learned about the Savior’s suffering in Gethsemane. Write a paragraph about lessons you can apply to your own life from the example of the Savior in Gethsemane.
The perfect example that Christ set gives me hope.  It gives me comfort knowing that I have a Savior who can succor me perfectly and understand completely what is going on in my life.  I can also learn to be obedient to the Lord because his plan is bigger than mine.  Even when I’m suffering, turning to him will help me and help me become a better disciple.