Why did Jesus have to go through Gethsemane?
One thing is certain when we walk in the footsteps of Jesus or live the Christian faith: we are not here to do our own will, but the will of God. One of the greatest examples of this was when the Lord Jesus overcame His own will in Gethsemane.
That is why the Bible teaches us:
“Going a little farther, He fell with His face to the ground and prayed, ‘My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from Me. Yet not as I will, but as You will.’” (Matthew 26:39)
As incredible as it may sound, the greatest victory Jesus had was not on the cross, but in Gethsemane—right before carrying the sins of humanity. In this moment, for the first time in the Bible, we see Jesus deeply anguished.
What was the anguish of the Lord Jesus?
His anguish was not the fear of dying or the physical pain He would endure. Jesus already knew He would have to drink from the cup of God’s wrath—that is, take upon Himself the sin of the world. His anguish came from a deep inner battle between His human will and God’s will. He knew that if He followed His own will, He would be separated from the Father.
So, instead of giving in to that anguish, He fully surrendered to God, saying: “Not My will, but Yours be done.”
If Jesus had not submitted to God’s will at that moment, He would have failed—because the human will is not perfect and is prone to fail. What comes from God never fails.
What is our greatest enemy?
We have many enemies—some truly evil and capable of bringing great harm. But worse than all of them is our own flesh. Our flesh has the tendency to pull us away from God. That is why the Bible teaches: “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Matthew 26:41)
When the Bible uses “spirit” with a lowercase “s,” it’s referring to us. It is telling us to do the same thing Jesus did before His sacrifice: deny ourselves.
The flesh is always in a constant battle with our spirit, because both want different things. One wants to do its own will, and the other wants to do God’s.
That is why watching, praying, and sacrificing are essential—to receive the Holy Spirit, who gives us the power to deny ourselves and overcome any negative purpose.
That is why, right now in the Universal Church, millions of people are entering the purpose of the Holy Fire. This year, our walk will take place in the very place where Jesus had His greatest victory: the Garden of Gethsemane.
During this time, Bishop Clodomir Santos will be watching and praying—in one spirit—alongside bishops and pastors from all across the United States.
The prayer will begin at 6:00 a.m.
Join us in this great event that will completely transform your life.
Do not miss it!
Remember: nothing that is God’s will ever fails.
May God bless us all.
