The Desert | An Encounter with Our Hearts
Series: Simple. Quiet. Present. | Bible text: Matthew 26:36–46
Gethsemane shows us that true prayer does not begin with the right words, but with an open heart. Jesus pours out his feelings, his desires and, ultimately, his trust to his Father. We, too, may tell God everything and place our will in his hands. Especially during the barren times of our lives, he does not leave us alone, but carries us as a father carries his child – step by step along the path of trust.
In the last sermon, we saw that Jesus repeatedly sought out quiet places. Not because he wanted to escape from people, but because he sought fellowship with his Father.
Today, Jesus takes us one step further. Silence is not an end in itself. It has a purpose. It leads us to the place where our hearts meet God. And there is no more striking place for this than the Garden of Gethsemane. Here we do not see Jesus as a teacher addressing a large crowd. Not as a miracle-worker. Not as the king whom the people are celebrating. Here we encounter the Son of God, made man, in his deepest distress.
It is precisely for this reason that we learn something crucial about prayer here. For we discover that: True prayer does not begin with fine words, but with an open heart.
God invites us to pour out our hearts to him
Matthew describes a harrowing scene. Jesus goes with his disciples to the Garden of Gethsemane. Then he takes Peter, James and John with him and says to them: «My soul is deeply grieved. Stay here and keep watch with me» (Matthew 26:38 NLB). What a statement. Jesus does not hide his feelings. He does not pretend otherwise. He does not say: «A Native American feels no pain» or «I have to be strong now» or «I am God’s Son, so I must not show any fear». No.». He lays his heart bare. He calls his feelings by their proper names. Grief. Fear. Deep distress.
Here we learn something important: God does not expect us to put on a pious façade. We sometimes think that prayer has to sound particularly beautiful. We search for the right words. But God does not seek fine words. He seeks a sincere heart. That is why the Psalms are so precious. More than half of the Psalms are laments.
David cries out. He weeps. He laments. He asks questions. He wrestles. And God has included all these prayers in his Word. Why? Because God prefers honesty to piety. Perhaps we carry around worries that we don’t talk about with anyone. Disappointments. Guilt. Fears. Hurt feelings.
It is in the silence that these things often come to the surface. Many people are alarmed by this. They think: «I really ought to be further along by now.»But perhaps God shows us these things precisely because he wants to heal them.
This quiet place is not dangerous. It is the place where God brings our hearts into the light. Not to judge us, but to meet us.
God wants to hear our wishes too
Jesus does not stop at his feelings. He voices his wish. «He walked a little further, sank to the ground and prayed: ‘My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering pass from me.’ […]» (Matthew 26:39 NLB).
What a prayer! Jesus asks his Father to find another way, if possible. The chalice symbolises suffering, the cross and God’s judgement on sin. Jesus knows exactly what lies ahead. That is why he asks: «If it’s possible ….»That’s something we can learn, too.». We are allowed to tell God what we wish for. Some Christians believe that true faith means no longer having any wishes. Yet Jesus shows us the opposite. He openly expresses his deepest desire. We, too, may pray: «Lord, I long for healing.» «I long for reconciliation.» «I hope this suffering will come to an end.» «I hope that my child will find their way to you.» «I wish for strength.» Or alternatively: «Lord, I do not wish to drink from this cup.»God is not alarmed by such prayers. He knows our hearts anyway.’.
Prayer is not about informing God. Prayer is about opening our hearts to Him. In doing so, we often discover that our desires are contradictory. We want to serve God. And yet, at the same time, we seek our own comfort. We want to forgive. And yet we cling to our resentment. We want to become more like Christ. And yet, at the same time, we want to have our own way. God is aware of this tension. That is why we can bring everything to him. Nothing needs to remain hidden.
Trust grows when we surrender our will to God
Now comes the real climax of Jesus’ prayer. «[…] Yet I will do your will, not mine’» (Matthew 26:39 NLB). And a little later: «My Father! If this cup cannot pass from me, then let your will be done» (Matthew 26:42 NLB).
That is not resignation. Jesus does not say: «Well, in that case, nothing matters.» Nor does he say: «I have no more wishes.» No. He has expressed his feelings. He has expressed his wish. And now he is placing everything in his Father’s hands. This is an act of surrender. Here, Jesus is relinquishing control. Isn’t that one of the most difficult steps in our faith?
We want to be in control of our lives. We make plans. We organise things. We play it safe. Of course, we should live responsibly. But at some point, we reach our limits. We cannot fully control our health. Nor our children. Nor our future. Not even the next day. How much energy it takes to try to keep everything under control! Jesus shows us another way. He struggles. He prays. He wrestles. And then he trusts. That is precisely where his freedom lies.
The psalmist says: «Leave the guidance of your life to the Lord and trust in him; he will do the right thing» (Psalm 37:5 NLB).
And Solomon writes: «Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding»(Proverbs 3:5 NLB).
Devotion does not mean passivity. It means: I do what God asks of me today. And whatever is beyond my control, I consciously place in His hands. For my Father reigns. The cross confirms this trust. When Jesus prayed in Gethsemane, He did not yet know what the Resurrection would be like. But He trusted His Father. And the Father did not leave Him in death. That is precisely why we, too, may trust. Not because we know the outcome, but because we know the Father.
How can we put this into practice? It starts with regularly visiting our own «Garden of Gethsemane». It doesn’t necessarily have to be a garden. But it should be a place of stillness. A place free from distractions. A place where we can pour out our hearts to God. Perhaps three simple steps will help us with this.
Firstly: Bring your feelings to God. Call a spade a spade.
Secondly: Present your wishes to God. Don’t hide anything from Him.
Thirdly: Place your trust in God. Say, as Jesus did: «I want to do your will, not my own.»
These three elements are not found only in Gethsemane. They are found in many Psalms. Lament. Supplication. Trust. This is how the Bible prays.
And so we, too, may pray. Finally, I would like to remind us all of one thing. Gethsemane does not end with a prayer. It ends with a journey. Jesus rises. He goes forth to face his suffering. He drinks the cup that we should have drunk. He takes our guilt upon himself. He bears God’s wrath so that we may receive forgiveness. That is why we may come to the Father today with every cup of our life. For Christ has already drunk the heaviest cup for us.
Moses later reminds the people of Israel of something crucial. He says: «You have seen how the LORD your God has carried you all the way through the wilderness to this place, just as a father carries his child» (Deuteronomy 1:31 NLB).
What a powerful image. The desert was not merely a place of provision. It was also a place where God sustained his people. Through doubt. Through rebellion. Through disappointments. Through pain. And perhaps, looking back today, we realise that without this sustenance, we too would have long since ceased to be here.
There is that well-known image of the footprints in the sand. Even in the most difficult times of our lives, when we can see only a single footprint, God has not forsaken us. There, he carried us. Just as a father carries his child.
That is why we need not fear the silence. Yes, we will sometimes encounter our pain there. But we will never be alone. On the other side of our pain, it is not emptiness that awaits us. There, our heavenly Father awaits us, carrying us – step by step.
And in Christ we can be certain that whoever opens their heart to God will never come to Him in vain.
Possible questions for the small group
Read the Bible passage: Matthew 26:36–46; Psalm 13
- What feelings are you carrying around with you at the moment that you may not yet have honestly shared with God? What is stopping you from doing so?
- As you reflect on Jesus in Gethsemane: What desire or «cup» is particularly on your mind at the moment? How might you consciously bring it before God?
- In which area of your life do you find it hardest to pray: «Not my will, but yours be done»? Why there of all places?”
- When you look back on your life: where can you see that God carried you through a time of trial – perhaps only in hindsight?
- How could you, in practical terms, create your own «Garden of Gethsemane» over the coming week – a place and a time when you can share your feelings, desires and trust with God?
