March 28

When they had sung an hymn, they went out into the Mount of Olives. — Matt 26:30

It seems strange that Jesus could leave the upper room singing, when He knew what was before Him. But we have the explanation in the Epistle to the Hebrews, where we are told that it was for the joy set before Him that He endured the cross, despising the shame.

We need not try to understand the mystery of the struggle in Gethsemane, but we may get some lessons from it. One is that the only true refuge in sorrow is prayer. Another is that we have a right to ask God to spare us from great trials. Another, that we may help our friends in their sorrow and suffering by our sympathy.

Jesus expected to get strength from His disciples to enable Him to endure. One of the saddest incidents in the garden story is their failure to wake and watch with Him. A lesson for all time is in the Master’s words at the last, “Sleep on now, and take your rest.” There was no use in waking now – the traitor was coming. They had lost their opportunity to watch.