1. Fellowship with Christ and the Gethsemane PrayerThe accounts of Jesus Christ's prayer in Gethsemane appear in Matthew, Mark, and Luke-making it an important passage shared by the Synoptic Gospels. Through these passages, we realize not only how lonely the path to the cross was for Christ but also how profound the obedience and power of prayer contained within it truly are. Curiously, however, this decisive Gethsemane prayer does not appear in the Gospel of John. From John chapter 13 to 16, we see the Last Supper and the Farewell Discourse, then in chapter 17 we find Jesus' High Priestly Prayer for His disciples and the future church. After that, starting in chapter 18, the narrative of Jesus' arrest and suffering on the cross unfolds in earnest. Somewhere along that transition, the Gethsemane prayer-attested by the Synoptic Gospels-simply vanishes. Why does John omit this important prayer?
To understand this crucial question, we must note that in John's Gospel, Jesus already perceives the cross as "glory" at the Last Supper and firmly resolves to go to it. John shows that, during the supper, Jesus declares, "Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in Him," indicating that our Lord did not shy away from suffering and death but instead embraced the glory contained within them. In other words, from John's viewpoint, Jesus' heart was already fully determined. Rather than portraying Jesus as having made His final decision belatedly in the Garden of Gethsemane, John emphasizes that this conclusion was already established at the Last Supper. He writes, "As soon as Judas took the bread, he went out. And it was night," pinpointing that moment of decisive betrayal. At that point, there was no turning back from the path to the cross that Jesus had to walk, and John insists that Jesus was already well aware it was the path of glory.
Even though the Gospel of John appears to have deleted the Gethsemane prayer, we must not miss the essential theological message presented in the Synoptic Gospels: the path of the cross is "glory," but it also involves intense suffering and sacrifice. Mark 14:32-42 depicts this agony and obedience in vivid detail. By contrasting the disciples' failure to understand the Lord and their casual attitude with Jesus' severe distress-His sweat falling like drops of blood-Mark powerfully highlights Jesus' exclamation, "Abba, Father, everything is possible for You. Take this cup from Me. Yet not what I will, but what You will." Here, we encounter the mystery of Jesus' "humanity" and "divine obedience" intersecting dramatically.
At the young age of 33, Jesus had to endure crucifixion, known as the cruelest and most shameful form of execution under Roman rule, reserved for rebels and the worst criminals. It was not just a quick death; it was drawn-out torment and public humiliation, instilling deep fear and disgrace in both the condemned and their followers. Thus, Jesus' prayer-"Take this cup from Me"-was a profoundly natural expression of "human anguish." Yet at the same time, He knew that His very purpose in coming to this earth was to pay the redemptive sacrifice for sinners. When this "divine mission" collided with "human fear," Jesus ultimately declared, "Not My will, but Yours be done." This is the fundamental message of the Gethsemane prayer. Though Jesus could have avoided the cross, He chose to obey the Father's will entirely and thus willingly walked that path.
This choice by our Lord was by no means aided or encouraged by the disciples. In Mark's account, after finishing the supper with a hymn and going to the Mount of Olives, the disciples fail to stay awake even while Jesus is in deep turmoil and prayer. When Jesus returns in the middle of His prayer, He asks, "Could you not keep watch for one hour?"-showing how ignorant and insensitive the disciples are, utterly unaware of how imminent and grave the way of the cross truly is. Ultimately, in the midst of people's apathy, misunderstanding, and betrayal, Jesus wrestles alone in prayer. The phrase "deeply distressed and troubled" poignantly shows that although He is God, He fully embraced human fear, sorrow, and even despair.
What we must reflect on more deeply here is that fellowship with Christ does not guarantee "only splendid blessings." Even while claiming to walk with Jesus, the disciples quickly fall asleep during His agonizing prayer in which sweat becomes drops of blood. We, too, sometimes echo Peter's grand declaration-"Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You"-but when real suffering and sacrifice appear before us, we are shaken or even flee. Faith is not about words or lips alone; it is about carrying the weight of the cross in real life. Faced with how much heavier and more painful that burden is than we expected, we grow solemn.
In many of his sermons and teachings, Pastor David Jang emphasizes that this "Prayer in Gethsemane" holds decisive significance for our faith. Following Jesus means not only longing for the glory of the resurrection but also refusing to disregard the tears, lament, and horror of Gethsemane's prayer and the cross. He teaches that we can properly understand the message in John's Gospel-"the cross is glory"-only when we confront head-on the agony depicted in the Synoptic Gospels. Our tendency is to cling only to the glory of the resurrection, which makes it easy to overlook the deep valley of loneliness the Lord truly endured. Yet because Jesus prayed "Abba, Father" and obeyed unto death, the cross was consummated in glory. Without traversing the deepest valley in the journey of faith, we do not attain the pinnacle of glory. Gethsemane's prayer scene powerfully illustrates that truth.
Pastor David Jang adds that the setting of Gethsemane (meaning "oil press"), where olives were crushed to extract oil, symbolizes Jesus' very life being pressed and broken to offer the perfect atoning "oil." In fact, "Christ" (in Greek) or "Messiah" (in Hebrew) means "the Anointed One." In the Old Testament, anointing with oil was the critical ceremony for instituting kings, priests, and prophets. Paradoxically, however, Jesus walked a lonely road entirely without any formal anointing as King. People desired a glorious enthronement or public acclamation for Him, but in reality, even His own disciples slept, betrayed Him, and ultimately, only a cruel execution awaited. Therefore, one might interpret the true anointing not as a human ceremony but rather as being fulfilled through the obedience of "Not My will but Yours be done" in Gethsemane and the shedding of His blood on the cross.
Mark 14:51-52 describes a strange episode in which a young man (traditionally assumed to be Mark himself) follows Jesus in just a linen cloth. When the men seize him, he escapes naked, leaving the cloth behind. Mark candidly includes this shameful incident in his Gospel to reveal that he too had vowed to remain with the Lord but, when crisis struck, fled in utter helplessness. This historically attested event, dating back to the early church, reveals how honestly the Gospel exposes human frailty. In the end, there is no one willing to share in Jesus' suffering or even stay fully awake in prayer. Surrounded by misunderstanding, betrayal, and apathy, Jesus prays in solitude. The phrase "deeply distressed and troubled" underscores how Jesus, though fully God, bore the depths of human fear, sorrow, and despair as well.
The key takeaway here is that professing "fellowship with Christ" does not automatically bring only triumph or blessing. Far too often, we talk about following Jesus yet fall asleep the moment He prays until His sweat becomes drops of blood. This is painfully similar to our own faith today. Sometimes we echo Peter's boldness: "Even if I have to die with You, I will never deny You," but when real suffering arises, we may waver or even flee. Faith is not just words on our lips; it is the real act of carrying the weight of the cross. And as we confront how much more severe and burdensome that weight is than we anticipated, we become reverent.
Pastor David Jang repeatedly stresses that "the Gethsemane prayer" is pivotal in the life of faith. Following Jesus entails a longing for resurrection glory but also a willingness not to turn away from the tears, wailing, and harshness of Gethsemane's prayer and the cross. He claims that only when we squarely face the anguish the Synoptic Gospels portray can we properly grasp the Johannine message that "the cross itself is glory." Indeed, we often tend to cling only to the glory of the resurrection, easily overlooking the lonely valley of suffering Jesus endured. But because Jesus prayed "Abba, Father" and obeyed unto death, the cross could be crowned with glory. Without passing through the darkest valley in one's journey of faith, one cannot reach the highest summit of glory. The scene in Gethsemane clearly demonstrates that point.
With Pastor David Jang's commentary, we see that in Gethsemane (the "oil press"), just as olives are crushed to release oil, Jesus' life itself was crushed and broken, becoming the perfect atoning "oil offering." After all, "Christ" or "Messiah" literally means "the Anointed One." In the Old Testament, anointing with oil was performed to designate kings, priests, or prophets. Ironically, however, Jesus walked a path devoid of any grand anointing ceremony. Though people had hoped for a glorious enthronement and public recognition, His disciples fell asleep, betrayed Him, and ultimately the harshest form of death awaited Him. Consequently, we can interpret the truest anointing not as a man-made, splendid ritual but as accomplished in Gethsemane through His words "Not My will but Yours be done," and by the blood He shed on the cross.
The peculiar scene in Mark 14:51-52-where a young man (likely Mark) follows Jesus with only a sheet and then flees naked-further highlights the disciples' cowardice and Jesus' isolation. By transparently recording his own shameful episode, Mark confesses, "I was no better than any other disciple who swore to protect the Lord yet ran away naked when real danger came." This is documented as an actual historical event passed down from the early church, illustrating how candidly the Gospels expose human weakness. Indeed, there was no one around willing to share Jesus' suffering or even remain alert in prayer. Jesus bore the anguish alone, turning only to His "Abba, Father" for solace and ultimately obeying to the end.
Later, the apostle Paul proclaims in Philippians 2:5-8, "Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to His own advantage; rather, He made Himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to death-even death on a cross!" This is the "kenosis" (self-emptying) that unfolds in Jesus' prayer at Gethsemane. The Gethsemane prayer becomes the archetype for every step of faith, every sacrifice, every decision. In front of people, one might appear poised, but the place of true obedience and sacrifice is before God alone, in tears, cries, and supplication. Yet it is precisely in that place that we experience the Holy Spirit's power, comfort, and divine leading. For this reason, the church has pondered and commemorated the Gethsemane prayer for 2,000 years.
Pastor David Jang, in multiple sermons and writings, also states, "From a human perspective, it is entirely possible to falter. Even Jesus initially wished to avoid the cross if possible. Yet He entrusted Himself completely to His good Father, and thus willingly walked that road, which became the pivotal event of salvation for humanity." Therefore, faith does not deny or ignore weakness, fear, suffering, or tears. Rather, it involves bringing them to God, trusting that even so, His will is good and certain, and obeying in that trust. That is the primary theological and historical significance the Gethsemane prayer imparts.
One more notable element within the Gethsemane prayer is the address "Abba, Father." Jesus prays in Aramaic, calling on "Abba," saying, "Father, if You are willing, take this cup from Me." At that time, Jewish tradition strongly avoided directly calling God "Abba" (Daddy or Father). Before Christ, God was revered as transcendent and formidable; even uttering His name carelessly was unthinkable. Yet Jesus breaks through that distance, calling God "My Father." This acknowledges God's absolute sovereignty, yet also holds firmly to His personal love. Trusting that a loving Father never abandons His child, Jesus could walk the path of the cross to the end. In the Garden of Gethsemane, His sole hope was in the Father's embrace. Because He clung to that embrace, He did not collapse within the vortex of despair and suffering.
Thus, the Gethsemane prayer reveals how great and astounding the worth of Jesus' actual suffering, solitude, and obedience is. At the same time, even in that process, we witness an intimate, humble, and submissive approach to God as "Abba, Father." The Synoptic Gospels recorded and preserved this prayer for precisely this reason: even though Jesus is the almighty Son of God, the weight of crucifixion-its agony and mortality-were beyond imagination. Yet He did not abandon that road, completing salvation for all humankind. Meanwhile, John's Gospel interprets the cross as already being "the glory of the Lord," and thus does not reiterate Jesus' turmoil and weeping in Gethsemane. As believers, however, we can read the Synoptic Gospels in conjunction with John and realize more profoundly that "because there was agony, the cross became glory."
In conclusion, the Gethsemane prayer teaches us how we should respond when "God's will and my will clash" in our lives. Like Jesus, we, too, must pray, "Father, if possible, take this hardship away. Yet I want Your will to be done more than mine." A faith devoid of human anguish or fear may actually be an immature pursuit of mere outward "strength." Genuine faith candidly admits our weakness and anxiety, offering them up to the sovereignty of God. This place is Gethsemane, where Jesus prayed "deeply distressed and troubled." Pastor David Jang delivers an experiential teaching about the significance of this Gethsemane prayer, urging us to learn how to obey to the end amid crises and despair, following Christ's example. He repeatedly reminds us of Jesus' request: "Could you not keep watch with Me?" and challenges us to think about how we today will heed and practice that request. Just as the disciples sang a hymn and entered the Mount of Olives-utterly unaware that sacrificial blood had been shed by the Kidron brook outside the city-so, too, many believers even now fail to grasp the true meaning of the cross and the depths of the Lord's loneliness. Yet the essence of Gethsemane lies in the fact that Jesus went through that loneliness and valley of tears, and therefore the cross ultimately shone in glorious fulfillment. Hence, we must cultivate a spirituality that not only proclaims "fellowship with Christ" but actively participates in His profound suffering and prayer.
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2. The Modern Application of the Gethsemane PrayerHow can the Gethsemane prayer apply to the church and believers today? Often, when discussing Jesus' ministry, we focus on miracles, signs, the glory of the resurrection, or the majestic events like Pentecost, while quickly passing over the Gethsemane scene in which Jesus shows His human vulnerability and anguish. Yet the tears, cries, and desperate cry of "Abba, Father" in the Garden of Gethsemane provide an indispensable model for real Christian living. Pastor David Jang emphasizes that this is vitally important for modern believers. As the world and culture increasingly pursue triumphalism and success-driven values, Christians risk following the same current, fixating on the glory of the resurrection and ignoring or denying suffering and wretchedness.
Scripture, however, consistently demonstrates that "glory" comes only after enduring hardship. Even though Jesus spent His public ministry healing many and preaching the gospel, His decisive work culminated in the single "event of the cross." The final spiritual battle before that was waged in Gethsemane. This shows that even for Jesus, the path was not easy; suffering was not something He could simply dismiss. Rather, He found it burdensome, frightening, and naturally something He wished to avoid. Yet, in spite of human weakness, He ultimately professed, "If it is the Father's will, I will walk this path," and He went to the cross. Pastor David Jang points out that in our current reality, with its myriad crises and pains, we should likewise follow Jesus' example in Gethsemane.
In the modern day, people's troubles take many forms: economic hardship, instability at work, illness, family issues, broken relationships, and deepening personal depression or anxiety. All these can lead us to ask, "What is faith really about?" Sermons in church often sound like promises that "God will solve all your problems," but reality does not always align so quickly or tangibly. Some can barely face tomorrow, others pray earnestly for the healing of a critically ill loved one without seeing any obvious change. In times of personal tragedy, one may even wonder, "Does God really exist?" That is our Gethsemane moment, when helplessness and fear strike, and we pray, "If You are willing, please take this cup away." Yet upon deeper reflection of this prayer, we become aware that true discipleship means praying, "Not my will, but Yours be done," and learning what genuine obedience entails.
Pastor David Jang often explains in sermons and gatherings that the Gethsemane prayer is about "acknowledging that God's plan may differ entirely from our own expectations and that it may even include suffering, yet clinging to the belief that He ultimately brings about good." From a human standpoint, the cross is humiliation and defeat. Yet in God's redemptive plan, the cross is the ultimate victory that grants humanity resurrection and eternal life. This logic applies to our present-day troubles as well. Though we may see no immediate respite from pain or despair, can we hold fast to the conviction that it is never outside God's hands? Even if the waters of the Kidron Valley, running red with blood, seem to flow before us, can we trust that God still governs the salvation beyond it? Practicing the Gethsemane prayer in a modern context begins with that trust.
Indeed, when we read James or 1 and 2 Peter, we realize that early believers faced poverty, persecution, sickness-making it difficult to keep their faith. Hence, the apostles admonish, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds" (James 1:2) and "Do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you" (1 Peter 4:12). This might seem detached from reality, but behind these exhortations lies the example of Jesus in Gethsemane. He prayed, "If it is Your will, even if I cannot understand it now, I will walk it." In enduring that path, we may feel overwhelmed, as though there is no hope. Yet even there, calling out "Abba, Father" connects us to the God who never forsakes us. The cross ended in resurrection. Contemporary Christians must remember this truth.
Pastor David Jang specifically critiques the "ambition-centered faith" or "obsession with worldly success" prevalent in many churches. He repeatedly insists that "to follow Christ is to willingly embrace the sacrifice and obedience found in the Gethsemane prayer." Plenty of believers engage in vibrant worship, mission trips, and volunteer work in church, yet when real suffering arises, they easily grumble against God or even abandon their faith. Likewise, at the Last Supper, the disciples were brimming with enthusiasm, but at Gethsemane, they ignored Jesus' plea to stay awake in prayer. Peter boasted, "Even if I have to die, I will not betray You," yet he fell asleep instead of praying, and thus, when Jesus was arrested, he drew a sword in misguided zeal and soon thereafter denied Jesus three times and fled. Today's church is not so different. We say with our lips, "I love You, Lord. I'll do anything for You," but the moment we confront acute suffering, our hearts collapse. According to Pastor David Jang, "Human determination alone can never traverse the way of the cross; the Gethsemane prayer-absolute dependence on 'Abba, Father'-is the only way."
Moreover, as seen in Gethsemane, Jesus' prayer was not limited to "emotional expression" but led directly to action: "Rise, let us go." After His third prayer, Jesus told the disciples, "Enough! The hour has come. Look, the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. Rise! Let us go!" (Mark 14:41-42). Prayer did not end in emotional relief; it propelled Him into the reality of the cross. The modern church must learn from this. We may pray fervently in church, but genuine prayer finds meaning only when we step into the "cross-shaped" situations of daily life without flinching. Just as Jesus, upon concluding "Not My will, but Yours" in prayer, walked straight into His arrest, so we also must face challenges and pain head-on.
Concrete examples include serving the marginalized, reconciling conflicts within the church through love, or defending truth and justice even at personal cost. After prayer in Gethsemane, Jesus promptly displayed His determination and submitted to being arrested. In the same way, once God's will becomes clear to us, we must act without hesitation. Pastor David Jang explains that "applying the Gethsemane prayer today means recognizing that the main request is not for all hardship to vanish but for the power to obey God's will in the midst of it." In Jesus' case, the cross was not removed; it descended upon Him. But Jesus had already spiritually triumphed by surrendering Himself fully to the Father in Gethsemane.
If today's church deeply embraces this message, it will no longer view faith's main goal as "the immediate resolution of all problems." Of course, healing and miracles can happen. But they do not always occur. What is truly important is that "whether it happens or not, we are wholly given over to God and intend to obey His will." That is the essence of the Gethsemane prayer. Even if the world views it as failure, from God's perspective it is the most astonishing victory, just as the cross led to the resurrection. Pastor David Jang consistently underscores this logic in many sermons, clarifying that the entire journey from the Last Supper to the cross ultimately leads to glory.
Furthermore, the Gethsemane prayer has a profound connection to "intercessory prayer" in the church community. Even while in agony, Jesus "loved His own who were in the world, and He loved them to the end" (John 13:1). He prayed for the disciples, and in John 17, the High Priestly Prayer expands this to include all future believers. Linked with the setting of Gethsemane, it reveals, "The Lord has continually prayed for us, even in the throes of suffering." This challenges us likewise to intercede for one another: "Jesus first walked the difficult path of solitary prayer." The church should weep with those who weep, lifting them up in prayer that God might restore them. Just as Jesus prayed alone, we too must resist the urge to slumber and choose instead to remain spiritually alert. Otherwise, we become no different from the disciples who slept in Gethsemane.
Pastor David Jang warns specifically that "if personal prayer is neglected, and if fervent mutual prayer within the church wanes, then Gethsemane's tears are shed in vain outside the church in countless places." During the crucifixion, the disciples scattered in fear. Are we truly any different today? So many neighbors suffer in poverty, physical and mental illness, spiritual anguish, and social injustice, but do we truly feel their pain and stand with them in prayer? At Gethsemane, Jesus pleaded with the disciples, "Stay here and keep watch," yet they did not last an hour before falling asleep. So Jesus faced the cross alone. As we read this passage, we should realize that if the church does not stay spiritually awake, we will perpetuate the Lord's loneliness and find ourselves abandoned in our own hour of crisis.
At the same time, the Gethsemane prayer also connects with the matter of "forgiveness." On the cross, Jesus prayed, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing" (Luke 23:34). This scene is made possible by the inward resolution Jesus achieved in Gethsemane, to follow the Father's will to the end. Christians often find it difficult to forgive because the hurt or injustice we feel is immense-we cannot show mercy to those who "nail us to a cross." Yet Jesus, though betrayed and subjected to extreme pain and humiliation, offered forgiveness. Behind this act lies the complete surrender in Gethsemane, "Not My will but Yours." Pastor David Jang notes that "forgiveness may look humanly impossible, but the person who has internalized the Gethsemane prayer begins to grasp the heart of Christ." In other words, even amid raw anger and injury, one can find a starting point for forgiveness when saying, "If this is part of God's holy purpose, I will not refuse it."
Thus, the Gethsemane prayer is not merely a historical event from Jesus' era; it remains a profoundly practical guide for how Christians can not only maintain but also mature in faith. We often seek to experience God through dazzling miracles, but the real miracle might be standing before the cross and praying, "Lord, even though I am terrified and in pain, if this is the path You walked, I refuse to dodge it." Through that prayer, we can incorporate Jesus' loneliness, lament, and obedience into our own lives. Then, as we step out into the world with that posture, we truly experience resurrection joy.
Central to Pastor David Jang's teaching is that "only those who know the valley of suffering can clearly behold the summit of resurrection." People love the view from the high peak but prefer to avoid deep ravines. Yet in Jesus' life, His great victory-the resurrection-was never independent of suffering. He endured rejection and misunderstanding, even betrayal by His disciples, and especially the fierce spiritual struggle in Gethsemane, all leading to the cross. And the cross made resurrection possible. Pastor David Jang consistently reminds us that our own faith journeys are like this, too. If the church overlooks this truth, we might chase outward growth and flamboyant revivals but collapse helplessly in the face of suffering.
He also sometimes notes that the Gethsemane prayer is crucial for fostering "solidarity" within the Christian community. The church is not a gathering of those who boast of spiritual triumph. Rather, it must be a place where the wounded, the defeated, and the suffering unite in tears and prayer, bearing one another's burdens. Just as Jesus asked His disciples in Gethsemane to "keep watch with Me," so we must do for one another. Even if we fail-fall asleep like the disciples, or rashly declare "I'll never forsake You" only to stumble-the church is the place to return, care for each other, and awaken anew. Central to this unity is "Abba, Father," i.e., turning not to resentment or despair toward people but recalling the grace and patience Jesus demonstrated in Gethsemane, sharing each other's burdens in community.
From a modern standpoint, it's possible that the myriad conflicts and problems churches face stem from a lack of true "Gethsemane prayer." Instead of genuinely praying for one another, church members may feud, split into factions, and, when deeply hurt, leave the church. During Jesus' most harrowing moment, the disciples ran away. That same pattern often reappears today. Despite this, God's love remains unchanged, and if we focus on that love, we can still return to the place of prayer. Pastor David Jang identifies this as "the pivotal challenge that the Gethsemane prayer raises for the modern church." We should not merely comprehend intellectually the way Jesus walked, but actively commit: "I will share in that way. I will stay awake and pray, that I may not fall into temptation." If we fail to make that commitment, no matter how grand our church buildings or how crowded our events, we may miss out on sharing in Christ's true glory.
In short, the Gethsemane prayer is a decisive moment that teaches "the identity of faith" and "the core of discipleship." Jesus groaned, wept, and prayed there as a fully human being, yet He did not renounce the Father's will. The disciples, meanwhile, slept, fled, or denied Him, but after the resurrection, they returned and were restored. Pastor David Jang says that this entire sequence vividly shows how human failure and divine salvation intertwine. Studying this passage means honestly confronting the unbelief, apathy, fear, and frailty in our own hearts. And from that brokenness, we cry out, "Abba, Father," and pray, "Not my will, but Yours be done." True church revival and holiness begin at this point. Before taking up the cross, Jesus endured a valley of agonizing prayer that nobody understood. That valley led to the dawn of the resurrection.
Lastly, as Pastor David Jang repeatedly urges, neither individual believers nor the church community should ever neglect the urgent importance of "staying awake in Gethsemane." Each time we read the Gospels, we should consider how Jesus felt crossing the Kidron Valley, red with the blood of sacrificial lambs. He clearly recognized that He Himself was the true Lamb who must bear humanity's sins. Yet the disciples who had promised to walk that path with Him sang hymns, slept, and ultimately abandoned Him. Likewise, we may boldly proclaim at Easter or during Communion services, "We will die and rise with the Lord," but when the "night of Gethsemane" actually arrives, we easily slip into spiritual numbness. Hence, the Lord repeatedly says, "Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation." Even though the way appears difficult and narrow, if we trust the Father's will, we too shall meet a morning of new life and salvation.
Ultimately, the Gethsemane prayer is Jesus' inner struggle and victory on the eve of the cross-the supreme event of the Christian faith-and a model of obedience that the disciples and the church must emulate. It reveals that "not my will, but the Father's will" must be the priority, and that one must trust unwaveringly in the Father's love and omnipotence. We do not hide our weakness from God; we pour it all out to Him, believing that our desperate tears and cries will never be in vain under His good providence. Then we rise and say, "Let us go," pressing on toward the cross-this is true discipleship. Pastor David Jang consistently proclaims this message because he believes that recovering the spirituality of Gethsemane is essential for both the church and individual faith. He is convinced that when we bow in prayer at the place of Jesus' victory, we open ourselves to the marvelous grace and resurrection power that await us there.
