Taken from Robert Hawker's comments on Mat 26:36-46 (Scripture quotes in parenthesis have been added by the webmaster).
We have here Christ's entrance upon his sufferings, in the garden Gethsemane . The whole life of Jesus had been a life of sorrow, for of him, and him only, by way of emphasis, can it be said, that he was a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. But here he is entering more especially upon the great work of sorrow, for which he became the surety of his people. And here it is therefore, that we need most eminently the teaching of God the Holy Ghost. I am aware how very little a way our discoveries carry us, when following the steps of Jesus by faith, into the garden of Gethsemane . . . . I would beg the reader to accompany me, in following by faith, the Lord Jesus to Gethsemane 's garden, in this dark and gloomy hour; and may the Lord be our teacher in beholding the glory of Christ, . . . . .
As we prosecute this awful business, every step we take seems to be more solemn and striking. The Evangelists who have described the state of Jesus, have each of them used different words, by way of expressing the feelings of Jesus. Matthew said, . . . (he was) "in soul exceeding sorrowful, even unto death." Mark said Jesus "began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy." . . . The words "Sore amazed" imply such an affright to the mind as when we say it makes the very hair stand on an end, and induces a trembling and horror of the whole frame. . . . Luke, . . . represents Christ in an agony or combat. The sweat . . . was as it were, great drops of blood falling down to the ground.
Before we go further, let us humbly look up and enquire into the cause! Here is no account of any pains of body the Redeemer had yet entered upon! The horrors of crucifixion though in view, were no felt. . . .
And what was the cause for which this Lamb of God was thus exercised? He who was holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens! Heb 7:26. What can more decidedly confirm the scriptures of truth, than that as his Church's surety and representative, he who knew no sin was made sin for us, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him. 2 Cor 5:21 . He (as the Apostle saith) hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us. Gal 3:13 Here was the cause. It pleased Jehovah to put him to grief. The Father's hand was in the work. And hence the holy sufferer expressed himself in such strong words. Save me, O God! for the waters are come in unto my soul. I sink in deep mire where there is no standing. I am come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me, (Psa 69 &c). (I am weary of my crying: my throat is dried: mine eyes fail while I wait for my God. They that hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of mine head: they that would destroy me, being mine enemies wrongfully, are mighty: then I restored that which I took not away. O God, thou knowest my foolishness; and my sins are not hid from thee.) See also Psalm 22 throughout (. . .I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels. LORD, rebuke me not in thy wrath: neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure. . . .) Psalm 38 throughout (For thine arrows stick fast in me, and thy hand presseth me sore. There is no soundness in my flesh because of thine anger; neither is there any rest in my bones because of my sin. For mine iniquities are gone over mine head: as an heavy burden they are too heavy for me. My wounds stink and are corrupt because of my foolishness. I am troubled; I am bowed down greatly; I go mourning all the day long. My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death.)
Oh! ye my poor fellow sinners who never yet felt sin; behold the exceeding sinfulness in the soul travail of Christ Jesus! . . . Lord! let the contemplation fire my soul with love!
Taken from Robert Hawker's comments on Mat 26:36-46