It was late.

The Passover meal was over.

The upper room was behind them.

And the weight of what was coming had begun to press in on Jesus like never before.

He was burdened.

Not just by the thought of death, but by the full weight of humanity's sin.

The silence he would endure from the father, the suffering he would choose to walk into.

He turned to his disciples and said,

Sit here while I go over there to pray.

He took Peter, James, and John with him.

They had seen him transfigured on the mountaintop in glory,

and now they would see him undone in sorrow.

My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me,

he said. Then Jesus went a little farther, just a few steps away, and he fell. With sweat drops of

blood, he prayed, oh my father, if it's possible, let this cup pass

from me.

Nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.

Then he returned to his disciples, but they were asleep.

And he said to Peter,

Could you not watch with me one hour?

Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation.

The spirit is indeed willing, but the flesh is weak.

...