The Pulpit Commentary — Luke — Volume 2 — Section 204

of a region beyond all that our thought can trace, in which the Christ or God wns trellding the wine-press alone. Detter, in view of this, a holy reticence than o. zeal which is eager with explanatious. If we must speak of the special fearfulness nnd trembling of Gethsemane, let us simply say that there, in all its orushiua weight, waa rC11lized the bearing of the sin of the world. " II. THE PllAYER. 1. Observe its cliaracte1·istics. (1) Humility. "He kneel<'d do~-n." More strongly still St. Mark says (xiv. 35), "He fell on the ground." It wns the attitude of deepest reverenc<', of entire prostration. In the high-priestly prayer, "he lifted up his eyes to heaven;" but now, in human weakness and dependence, be is prostrate before his Father. Sign of the "godly fear" (Heh. v. 7) for which he was heard. (2) Importunate ,·epetition. Thrice he prayed, "saying the same words" (Matt. xxvi. 44). lt is not the eloquence, but the sincerity of desire in the prayer which God regards. (3) Increasing earnestness. "Deing in an agony, he prayed more earnestly." The greater the pressure on the soul, the more fervent became the cry. The sorrow of the disciples sent them to sleep; his sent him to the Father. "Love overmasters agony," not agony love. Let the disciple learn of the Master. 2. Observe its su.bject-matter. (Ver. 42.) "Remove this cup from me;" or (as in Matt. xxvi. 30), "Let this cup pass from me." It was the pleading of the sensitive human soul. And we may be assured that to plead for the removal of a cup of pain, for relief from burdens which seem greater than we can bear, is in the way of the child's privilege; only there must be the spirit of entire dependence. "If thou be willing." There is to be no" if" where God's promise is absolute. We do not need to say," If thou be willing, make thy grace sufficient." His pledge as to this is distinct and unequivocal: "My grace is suffi- cient." From this, :m this resting, we pray. But when we desire that concerning which we have no definite assurance of the Father's mind, then all is to be subordinated to him. This is to abide in the Son as he is revealed in Gethsemane. "If we ask any thing according to God's will, be heareth us," The godly McCheyne spoke of getting into tune for prayer. We get into tune when we learn Christ's "If it be possible•" "li thou be willing.,. "Renew my will from day to day; Blend it with thine," eto. 3. Observe its answer. The answer is manifest: (1) In the righting" Nevertheless." (Ver. 42.) In the prayer the soul realized" God my Rock." From what might have been self-seeking, it was delivered. "Do thou thy holy will: I will lie still ; I will not stir, Lest I should break the charm." "In the day when I cried, thou answered et me, and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul." (2) In the comforting angel. (Ver. ~3.) The holy one, sign of the sym- pathy in heaven above. For to the one who prays ma~ ~gony the ~~avens are_ ~ot brass. There are ministries of love. God's angels are all m1mstenng spmts. In v1S1ble form the angel may not appear; but we know tha.t he is with us in the comfort and peace. Have we not the Comforter himself?- " A gracious, willing Guest, While he cau find one humble heart Wherein to rest." And thns, though the enp does not pass, the will of the Son is strengthened into perfect harmony with the will of the Father. He rises up from prayer, ready, "strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might." IIL Observe, finally, THE BEMONSTBANCE. Very touching the word to Peter (Ma.tt. xxvL 40). The one hour never again to come, the one hour of watching, lost in sleep I And now (ver. 46). May not the pathetic question ring in the ears of the Christian? Why do we sleep-we whom the ~~n of man bas associated with bims~lf i~ bis prayers and pains? We asleep, and he toil mg I We asleep, and the worl~ l,Ymg 1~ ~arkness I Ah! in the solemn light of Gethseman!'~ what is the utmost Christian nct1v1ty but a liium'ber? a11d qow l!l~ny wllo c18,im to be CJ:irist's ~re fits~ asleep, not for sorrow, b1.1~ M. :xxu. i-71.J TttE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. LUK:/!!. 213