Bead Eleven - Gethsemane
Jesus led the way to the Mount of Olives and as they walked along, he told his companions that they would all desert him that night but they fiercely denied that they would ever do such a thing. They came to a garden called Gethsemane which they often visited to find peace and quiet after the activities of a long day. When they entered the garden, Jesus asked them to stay awake and pray for him while he went a stone’s throw away taking Peter, James and John with him.
He found somewhere for the three of them to pray while he went further on, knowing he would be overwhelmed by sorrow and distress which they would find unbearable. He was well aware of all that lay ahead of him. He knew his enemies would not be satisfied until they had managed to have him put to death.
They would need the assistance of the ruling authority to deal out the death penalty and everyone throughout the Roman Empire knew that crucifixion was their method, its cruelty, a familiar sight of everyday life. However, the reality of all he was to suffer himself was as nothing compared with the anguish he felt, etched within his heart, for the people of this world, their suffering, pain and sorrow, past, present and to come.
He fell to the ground and prayed out loud; “Father, if it is possible, take this agony away from me but it is your will that must be done, not mine.” When he returned to his three friends, he found them asleep and said with sorrow in his heart, “Couldn’t you stay awake praying with me for even one hour!” but added, in compassion for them, “I know your spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.”
He left them again and returned to pray alone and once more, returned to find them asleep. Their grief had found them unable to keep their eyes open. He left them one last time and this third hour of prayer found him so desolate that drops of blood formed like sweat and fell to the ground, but through his prayer, he found the comfort and strength from God that he would need to face all that was to come.
On his return from this last hour of prayer, Peter, James and John were still asleep, as were the others when they rejoined them. Jesus gathered them all together and gave them the stark news that someone had betrayed him to the authorities. “He’s on his way now so we must go to face him,’’ To their uttermost shock and horror, a group of armed guards with a detachment of Roman soldiers, all carrying lanterns, torches, clubs and swords, arrived at the garden, led by none other than Judas.
It was dark so Judas had given the troops a sign to know who to arrest. “The man I greet with a kiss is the one you’re looking for,’’ he said, adding, ’’Make sure you take him away under guard.’’ He approached Jesus who, looking him directly in the eye, said, “Judas, my friend, have you come here to betray me with a kiss?” then added, with a sigh, “Go ahead and do what you have decided to do.” Judas gave the sign and the soldiers came towards Jesus but he stepped forward and spoke to them fearlessly.
“Who are you looking for?’’ he said. They were taken aback but answered, “Jesus of Nazareth.” “I am the man you want,” said Jesus. At this, they fell back, disconcerted by his courage. He asked them again. “Who are you looking for? They repeated his name so Jesus said, “I told you I am the man you want. If you are looking for me, let these other men go free.”
Before they left the upper room, Peter had spotted two swords and had picked one up, suspecting from what Jesus had said during the meal that there could be danger ahead of them. In the heat of the moment, he drew the sword and struck the high priest’s servant, cutting off his right ear but Jesus called out to him urgently, “Peter, put your sword away. People who live by the sword, die by the sword. My Father in heaven would send legions of angels to defend me if I asked him.” He reached out and touched the injured man’s ear which was healed instantly.
He turned and spoke to the angry mob again. “Why have you come here in the dark with clubs and swords to arrest me like a common criminal when I sat preaching to you openly in the temple every day? But no, this is the hour of darkness. This is your hour!” These last words aroused their anger and they arrested him immediately and dragged him off, at which point, all his companions ran away in fear.
No comments:
Post a Comment