“32 Then they came to a place named Gethsemane, and He told His disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” 33 He took Peter, James, and John with Him, and He began to be deeply distressed and horrified. 34 Then He said to them, “My soul is swallowed up in sorrow — to the point of death. Remain here and stay awake.” 35 Then He went a little farther, fell to the ground, and began to pray that if it were possible, the hour might pass from Him. 36 And He said, “Abba, Father! All things are possible for You. Take this cup away from Me. Nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will.”

37 Then He came and found them sleeping. Simon, are you sleeping? He asked Peter. “Couldn’t you stay awake one hour? 38 Stay awake and pray so that you wont enter into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

39 Once again He went away and prayed, saying the same thing. 40 And He came again and found them sleeping, because they could not keep their eyes open. They did not know what to say to Him. 41 Then He came a third time and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough! The time has come. Look, the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. 42 Get up; lets go! See — My betrayer is near.”

Mark 14:32-42

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I’m not sure how much the phrase is used anymore, but to say someone has ‘been through the wringer’ is the closest idiom that we have for what Jesus is experiencing here in the garden. Gethsemane literally means “the oil press” and is a fitting place name considering where Jesus’ heart is in these last moments leading up to His arrest.

This week preceding the crucifixion is often called ‘Passion Week’ because of the intensity of what is going on and because of the deep-rooted love of God that compelled Jesus to do what He did. This time in the garden was that eternity that stretches out before us when we are confronted with the combination of time and dread. 

The effect of depression on the mind and body should not be quickly discounted. The emotional strain it brings on cannot be accurately described with words. Luke, in his account, contains these words (some mms omit them) that show us where Jesus’ was in these minutes preceding the arrival of Judas and the temple guard, 

“43 Then an angel from heaven appeared to Him, strengthening Him. 44 Being in anguish, He prayed more fervently, and His sweat became like drops of blood falling to the ground.” Luke 22:43-44

The word ‘anguish’ signifies His mental/emotional state. Mark used the word ‘horrified,’ the strongest of the three NT words for depression to explain the state of His mind. 

But such was the love of God at work in Christ, that He was able to overcome these deepest of emotions and hurts and fears for our sake. What depth of compassion, mercy and grace flowed in Emmanuel’s veins that He would suffer such horror, anguish and depression so that we might be reconciled to God. He loved us so much that He was able to step aside from depression and press forward, and unless you have had your mind and heart in the inky dark grasp of depression’s many-folded pit, you cannot comprehend what an amazing feat that is. His commissioning command to GoLove others is born from the intensity of this love.

How great a love the Father has lavished on us! We cannot comprehend its depths! We cannot overstate His faithfulness, mercy, compassion and grace! We simply do not have the words, but the cross and empty tomb paint the perfect picture.