The Last Fifty YardsMatthew 26:36-45

Created by David Turnerwww.BibleStudies-Online.com

The toughest part of the 400 meter race is the last 50 Yards.

Matthew 26:36–45 (NET) 36 Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to the disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” 37 He took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and became anguished and distressed.

38 Then he said to them, “My soul is deeply grieved, even to the point of death. Remain here and stay awake with me.” 39 Going a little farther, he threw himself down with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if possible, let this cup pass from me! Yet not what I will, but what you will.”

40 Then he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. He said to Peter, “So, couldn’t you stay awake with me for one hour? 41 Stay awake and pray that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

42 He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if this cup cannot be taken away unless I drink it, your will must be done. 43 He came again and found them sleeping; they could not keep their eyes open. 44 So leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same thing once more.

45 Then he came to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour is approaching, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46 Get up, let us go. Look! My betrayer is approaching!”

Jesus Hit the Wall

I. A Difficult Race Can Bring Sorrow.

A. The Past was demanding. 1. He was physically exhausted.

a. By the demands of the populous.b. By the constant traveling and heavy schedule.

2. He was emotionally exhausted.a. By the constant opposition from religious leaders.b. By the constant preparation and training of the

disciples.

I. A Difficult Race Can Bring Sorrow.

B. The Future was frightening.1. He’d be betrayed by a friend.2. He’d be rejected by His own people.3. He knew of the physical and emotional torture.4. He’d have to take the sins of the world upon

Himself.5. He’d receive the punishment for those sins.6. He’d be separated from the Father.7. He’d be killed.

It was the divine will to complete the race, but the human will was flooded

with sorrow. The rest of the race seemed to be more than his humanity could bare. He was tempted to leave

the race.

II. Finding strength through the sorrow to finish the race.

A. The crowds offer little comfort during sorrow.B. Intimate friends can offer limited comfort

during sorrow.1. There is some comfort in their presence, but

a. They cannot relate to the demands of a race they have never run.

b. They cannot relate to the intensity of the emotions and pain they have never experienced.

c. They could not foresee the anguish which Jesus saw coming.

II. Finding strength through the sorrow to finish the race.

A. The crowds offer little comfort during sorrow.B. Intimate friends can offer limited comfort

during sorrow.1. They may comfort by their presence, but:

d. They cannot counsel what they don’t understand.c. Their ignorance can cause more discomfort than

comfort (consider Job’s friends).

2. Jesus craved for human fellowship and comfort, but they were not able to deliver.

II. Finding strength through the sorrow to finish the race.

C. Jesus went to the only source that could comprehend His sorrow and get him back in the race.

1. The Father comprehends our heart and understands our pain.

2. The Father listens to our heart even when it isn’t aligned with his will.

Jesus asked the Father to remove the cause of sorrow, “If it is possible, remove the cup.”The Cup:Can be running over with good fortune (Psalm 23)Or, God’s wrathPsalm 75:8 (NET) 8 For the Lord holds in his hand a cup full of foaming wine mixed with spices, and pours it out. Surely all the wicked of the earth will slurp it up and drink it to its very last drop.”

The agony at the end of the race nearly paralyzed him physically and

emotionally (his humanity). Only the divine will could get his eyes back on

the reward at the finish line.

III. The human will must submit to the divine will to finish the race.

A. Jesus grief could have stopped him from finishing the race. It was so intense:

1. He requested to be removed from the race, “remove this cup”.

2. He sweat drops of blood.3. It was his greatest temptation.

B. Submitting to the divine will lifted him above the sorrow and put him back in the race.

Our Spirit is Willing but our Flesh is Weak

Matthew 26:33–35 (NET)33 Peter said to him, “If they all fall away because of you, I will

never fall away!” 34 Jesus said to him, “I tell you the truth, on this night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” 35 Peter said to him, “Even if I must die with you, I will never deny you.” And all the disciples said the

same thing.

Matthew 26:40–41 40 Then he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. He said to Peter, “So, couldn’t you stay awake with me

for one hour? 41 Stay awake and pray that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is

willing, but the flesh is weak.”

The Rewards are Greater than the Sorrow

• God doesn’t always take our cup from us. Neither does he remove the sorrow that our

cup may bring. But, if we turn our eyes toward Him, He will lift us above our sorrow, put our focus back on the finish line, and give us the

courage to complete the race.• Our temporary sorrows will seem insignificant

to the reward when we enter the winners circle.

Gethsemane song (video)