Jesus Suffered Alone in Gethsemane
Psalm 69:20; Mark 14:32–41
Messianic Prophecy in Psalm 69:20:
20 Reproach hath broken my heart; and I am full of heaviness: and I looked for some to take pity, but there was none; and for comforters, but I found none.
Fulfillment of Messianic Prophecy in Mark 14:32–41
32 And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane: and he saith to his disciples, Sit ye here, while I shall pray.33 And he taketh with him Peter and James and John, and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy;34 And saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch.35 And he went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him.36 And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt.37 And he cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, Simon, sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one hour?38 Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.39 And again he went away, and prayed, and spake the same words.40 And when he returned, he found them asleep again, (for their eyes were heavy,) neither wist they what to answer him.41 And he cometh the third time, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: it is enough, the hour is come; behold, the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland said:
“Few places on earth are as sacred and important as this small grove of olive trees here on the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem. It was here in the Garden of Gethsemane, on that last night in mortality, that Jesus left His Apostles and descended alone into the depth of agony that would be His atoning sacrifice for the sins of all mankind.
“Moving slowly, kneeling, falling forward on His face, He cried, ‘Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt’ (Mark 14:36).
“To the thoughtful follower of Christ, it is a matter of surpassing wonder that the voluntary and merciful sacrifice of a single being could satisfy the infinite and eternal demands of justice; atone for every human misdeed; bear every mortal infirmity; feel every personal heartache, sorrow, and loss. But I testify that is exactly what Christ did for every one of us. I bear solemn witness that the Atonement of Jesus Christ is the compassionate foundation and central fact in God’s eternal plan for our salvation and our happiness.
“Is it any wonder that we walk quietly and reverently here? Is it any wonder that we make sacred covenants because of the love that was demonstrated here? Is it any wonder that Christ, the greatest of all, partook of the bitter cup and did not shrink here, that we might not suffer if we would repent and come unto Him?
“I declare my wonder and awe, my adoration and apostolic witness of Him in His redeeming name, the Lord Jesus Christ, amen.”
(“Special Witnesses of Christ,” Ensign, Apr. 2001, 13–14.)
