Jesus takes Peter and James and John with him again. These were the three that saw him Transfigured before their eyes.
Jesus enters into deep distress. He grieves (lupeo) and is troubled (ademoneo). His plea is simple to his friends, his disciples, in his distress: dwell here with me; keep watch with me.
Verse 39 is not perhaps the prayer we expect to hear from Jesus–at least not the first part. But is the two parts of this simple prayer to his Father that when woven together on Jesus’ lips are so striking. In intense grief, he prays to let the cup pass from him and yet in the same grieving breath concludes: yet not what I want, but what you want.
Sing “Go to Dark Gethsemane” as part of your daily prayer today.