The Savior’s Suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane

His Suffering Pain Astonished Deeply Grieved Exceeding Sorrow Sore Amazed Agony

 And lo, he shall suffer temptations, and pain of body, hunger, thirst, and fatigue, even more than man can suffer, except it be unto death; for behold, blood cometh from every pore, so great shall be his anguish for the wickedness and the abominations of his people. (Mosiah 3:7)  And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people. And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities. (Alma 7:11-12)  Which suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit—and would that I might not drink the bitter cup, and shrink— (D&C 19:18)

“It seems, that in addition to the fearful suffering incident to crucifixion, the agony of Gethsemane had recurred, intensified beyond human power to endure. In that bitterest hour the dying Christ was alone, alone in most terrible reality. That the supreme sacrifice of the Son might be consummated in all its fullness, the Father seems to have withdrawn the support of His immediate Presence, leaving to the Savior of men the glory of complete victory over the forces of sin and death.” (Talmage, Jesus the Christ, p. 661.)

“How perfect the example is! Though he were the Son of God, yet even he, having been strengthened by an angelic ministrant, prays with increased faith; even he grows in grace and ascends to higher heights of spiritual unity with the Father. How well Paul wrote of this hour: ‘In the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared; Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him.’ (Heb. 5:7–9.) ” (McConkie, DNTC, 1:776.)

Gethsemane To me, the symbolism in the name Gethsemane and the great sacrifice that happened there are so powerful. The name meaning “oil press” really points to the Atonement because the pressure and burden that taking the sins of the world on himself must have been like could be likened to the pressing of oil from the olives.

What were the Savior’s disciples doing while He was praying? What had the Lord taught the Apostles in Matthew 26:41? What does His example teach about how to be obedient even when “the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak?” How does Doctrine and Covenants 10:5 apply to this verse? The disciples were sleeping. The Lord teaches that we must pray often because the spirit may be willing, but the natural man is weak. He kept going even though he was physically down trodden. D&C talks about praying. With prayer, we can find the strength to endure.

“drink the bitter cup” Glorify the Father

As the Savior’s agony became more intense, how did His prayer change? Do you feel more like praying or less like praying when you are suffering? When has it made a difference in your suffering to have turned to the Lord with more earnest prayer?

His prayer became more earnest. When I am suffering, I feel more like praying. I believe this is because I realize just how small I am and that I need His help to face what trials I am facing... I would say I pray more because my perspective changes; there is an element of humility There have been so many times when I was suffering that I had to turn to the lord in more earnest prayer, like when I feel lost and alone.