They went to a place called Gethsemane; and he said to his disciples, ‘Sit here while I pray.’ He took with him Peter and James and John, and began to be distressed and agitated. And he said to them, ‘I am deeply grieved, even to death; remain here, and keep awake.’ And going a little farther, he threw himself on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. He said, ‘Abba, Father, for you all things are possible; remove this cup from me; yet, not what I want, but what you want.’ (Mark 14: 32-36)

This element of the story is crucial to my understanding of Jesus.

Was Jesus human or divine? This was a key question that divided the early church. The Council of Nicea (325 AD) decided on both in perfect balance. Intellectually I find that a reasonable position.

But emotionally I am inspired by the human Jesus.

The struggle at Gethsemene is, perhaps, the most human moment of Jesus' life captured by scripture. We are divided creatures. There is a part of us that is begotten, not made. There is an aspect of us that is of one substance with God.

But we have also been created as separate and free.

In this shared and separate identity is the origin of our greatest struggle. In attempting to resolve this struggle Jesus was deeply grieved even to the point of death. This is our story. This is our struggle as well.

The resolution, as Jesus demonstrates, is freely choosing God's intent.