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Matthew 26:36-46

The Cup in the Garden

Lyrics · Matthew

The Cup in the Garden

Matthew 26:36-46

Lyrics
[Verse 1 - Very low, intimate] Gethsemane waited beyond the night road, Eight were left sitting while four farther went. Peter and James and John heard him confess A sorrow so heavy it pressed unto death. Stay here and watch, but he went on alone, Fell to his face on the dark garden ground. The cup stood before him, the prayer left no doubt: If there is another way, let it pass now. [Refrain - Restrained, aching] The cup in the garden was not taken away. Submission remained when relief did not come. The will of the Father stood over the night, And sorrow kept moving toward morning and trial. [Verse 2 - Low, weary] He came back to Peter and found them asleep, One hour of watching had fallen too deep. Watch and pray; temptation is near. The spirit is willing; the flesh has its fears. Again he withdrew, and again came the plea: If this cup must be taken, then let the will be. Again they were sleeping, their eyes overcome, And no human watcher could carry him on. [Bridge - Building, solemn] A third time he prayed what had already been said, No bargain, no escape, no turning instead. Then back to the sleepers with night nearly done: The hour is at hand; the betrayer has come. [Final Refrain - Strong but controlled] The cup in the garden was not taken away. Submission remained when relief did not come. He rose from the earth and walked toward the hour, Not dragged from the garden, but meeting its power. [Outro - Low] Sleep was over. The footsteps were near.

Named in this songGethsemanePeter

About the passage

Matthew 26: The given body and the scattered disciples

The final teaching has ended, and the passion begins under the shadow of Passover. Jesus announces his crucifixion before the leaders describe their plan, holding his foreknowledge beside their responsibility. An unnamed woman pours costly ointment on him and is defended against the charge of waste; immediately afterward Judas asks what he will be paid to deliver Jesus. At the Passover table, betrayal is announced from within the twelve, then bread and cup receive their interpretation as body, blood, covenant, and remission of sins. Jesus predicts that all the disciples will scatter and that Peter will deny him three times, but he also promises a meeting in Galilee beyond the failure. In Gethsemane, sorrow is explicit and the cup is faced through repeated submission to the Father’s will. Arrest follows by a kiss, yet Jesus refuses the sword and says angelic rescue is available but not sought. Before the council he speaks of the Son of man at the right hand of power. Outside, Peter’s denials intensify until the cock crows and memory breaks his confidence into bitter tears.

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