THURSDAY October 23, 2025

The Tears of Jesus

During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered.
Hebrews 5:7-8 NIV

The writer of Hebrews identifies Melchizedek, who met with Abraham in Genesis 14, with the Person of Jesus Christ. Afterwards, the reader is taken to the moving scene in the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus prayed––agonizing as He faced the Cross.

Here in the garden, we are given an unforgettable picture of “the tears of Jesus.” Christ with fervent cries and tears prayed to His Father, knowing He was able to save Him from the beatings, from the crown of thorns, and from the nails in His hands and feet––from cruel crucifixion.

There with Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane were His disciples––Peter, James and John. Jesus asked them to stay awake with Him, to watch and pray: He [Jesus] took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and He began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed. Then He said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me” (Matthew 26:37-38).

Jesus continued to pray: “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will” (Matthew 26:39). Facing the most difficult time of His life, Jesus found His friends sleeping. He said to Peter: “What! Could you not watch with Me one hour? Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Matthew 26:40-41).

God heard His Son’s fervent cries, and He had seen His tears, but although Jesus was God’s Son, He had come to earth with one purpose: “For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me” (John 6:38). What was God’s will for Jesus’ life? His sacrificial death. Do you truly appreciate Jesus’ agony in the Garden of Gethsemane––His prayers, tears, and bloody sweat––before the ultimate sacrifice of Himself on the Cross to save you?

“And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.”
~John 6:40~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!