Matthew 26:36-75
Key Verse 26:39 “Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, ‘My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.’”
1. Why did Jesus go to Gethsemane to pray? (36-38) Why did Jesus want his disciples keep watch with him?
2. What was Jesus’ prayer? (39) What was “the cup” he struggled to take? Think of his struggle in terms of the consequences of sin? (cf. Isaiah 53:5-6) What did he resolve to do and why? (39,42)
3. What were the disciples doing while Jesus was praying and why (40,43,45a)? Why did Jesus tell his disciples to pray (41)?
4. Why didn’t Jesus fight when they came to arrest him? (52-55) What does his refusal to use the sword to fight show about his kingship and his kingdom? (cf. John 18:36)
5. How did Jesus respond to the false charges? (57-63) What was Jesus’ faith and glorious hope? (64)
6. Why did Peter disown Jesus? What made the difference between Jesus and Peter in how they responded to trials?