Who can stay awake in this night of God? Who will not be as if paralyzed by it? Jesus’ friends were protected from its terrors by a profound sleep. Luke, the doctor, and other witnesses speak of a “bloody sweat” which fell on the ground from the wakeful, imploring Christ.

The Luther Bible heads this chapter, “The Struggle in Gethsemane.” The struggle with whom? Christ’s struggle with himself? His struggle with death?

I think it is more than that. It is Christ’s struggle with God. This was his real agony. He overcame it through his self-surrender. That was his victory, and our hope.

from The Power of the Powerless