2025 Study of Matthew’s Gospel

YET NOT AS I WILL, BUT AS YOU WILL

Matthew 26:36-46

Key Verse: 26:39

1. What events have just occurred earlier that evening? Where is Gethsemane, and why might Jesus have gone there with His disciples (36-37)? What is the significance of Jesus describing His soul as “overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death” (38)? What do you learn from Jesus praying when he was emotionally crushed?
2. What does Jesus’ posture—falling with His face to the ground to pray—communicate about His heart and struggle (39a)? What was Jesus’ desire, and how did he still choose to surrender to God’s will (39b)? How does this verse reveal both the humanity and the absolute obedience of Jesus at the same time?
3. What does the disciples’ inability to stay awake reveal about their spiritual condition at that moment (40)? What do you think Jesus means by “the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak” (41)? Why do you think Jesus prays again and what change do you notice between Jesus’ first prayer and his second prayer (42)?
4. Why do you think the disciples keep falling asleep, even though Jesus warned them about temptation (43)? What does Jesus’ acceptance reveal about his mindset and mission (44-45)? What does Jesus mean by “Rise, let us go” (46)?
5. What can we learn about prayer from Jesus when we feel overwhelmed or crushed—emotionally, physically, or spiritually? How should we struggle in prayer to choose God’s will over our own?