In Gethsemane for Me

There have only been a handful of poems that have ever taken me longer than a few hours or days to write. This one is one of those, taking me over eighteen months to complete and being the longest rhyme scheme I've ever written. It started off as a personal prayer with a small reflection on Jesus' own experience, but as I continued writing, I knew it was morphing into something completely different. As I wrote down the different lines, here and there over the course the years, a picture began to form that I had never seen before. I had never imagined just how hard it must have been for Jesus to pray that prayer for the surrender of His will. What motivated Him to make this decision? What made Jesus so stressed that His sweat turned to blood? 

This poem, based on the gospels' account of Christ's prayer in Gethsemane, takes a first person view of the events that may have occurred that night through the eyes of Jesus. And although the narrative, traverses an un-recorded account of the temptations Jesus might have faced on that night, its ultimate purpose is to draw the reader's mind to ponder on the great love and sacrifice of our Savior for us. 

It's purposefully structured into five different sections divided by Roman numerals, with a small story contained withing each division. Each section sets the scene, explores a different conflict, and leads to a resolution where Jesus chooses to say "nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done." (Luke 22:42) The final section breaks away from the narrative and calls the reader to make a decision based on what he's read. 

Some might disapprove of my adding an extra-biblical narrative that we are not even sure is true. However, after reading the following quote, you might understand why I was willing to do so.

It will do you good […] to frequently review the closing scenes in the life of our Redeemer. Here, beset with temptations as He was, we may all learn lessons of the utmost importance to us.

It would be well to spend a thoughtful hour each day reviewing the life of Christ from the manger to Calvary. We should take it point by point and let the imagination vividly grasp each scene, especially the closing ones of His earthly life. By thus contemplating His teachings and sufferings, and the infinite sacrifice made by Him for the redemption of the race, we may strengthen our faith, quicken our love, and become more deeply imbued with the spirit which sustained our Savior.

~Testimony Treasures Vol. 1, p. 515.2-3

I hope this poem may be as much of a blessing to you as it has been for me over the years. To God be the glory.