Gethsemane Series

September 02, 2023

Today we are going to conclude the Gospels section of our series with Gethsemane.

The Passover meal was over.

Judas had left the group to make arrangements for the betrayal of Jesus.

Now as the little party made their way to the Mount of Olives, Jesus made a startling statement, “You will all fall away because of me this night. For it is written, 'I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.' But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee."

The ever-reliable Peter, blurted out, “Even if everyone else falls away, I will never fall away!!"

Jesus: I tell you the truth, Peter. This very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me 3 times.

Peter: Nonsense! Even if I must die with you, I will never deny you!

“Dito,” said the rest of the disciples.

As they approached the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus told the disciples to wait and pray, but he took Peter, James and John, with him a little further into the Garden - he wanted to have his closest friends near him for support and encouragement.

He asked them to watch and pray, while he went further still to be alone. They tried……..

Jesus collapsed to the ground and began to pray that, if it were possible, another way be found to save humanity. He said, "Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will."

Hoping to find Peter, James and John praying, Jesus stumbled over to where he had left them, only to find them sleeping.

Speaking to Peter, Jesus said, "Simon, could you not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."

Jesus returned to his place and prayed again, "My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done."

Again, he rose and went to the disciples ---- They were still sleeping.

For a third time, Jesus prayed, "Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done."

• Luke 22:43-44 - And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.

Sounds uncomfortable, doesn't it? Let's read a more graphic description from the book, Desire of Ages. Mrs. White does not paint a picture of discomfort, but one of agony and torture of soul. It is a moment in time when the very destiny of humanity hangs in the balance:

• Ellen White {DA Ch.74} - As Christ felt His unity with the Father broken up, He feared that in His human nature He would be unable to endure the coming conflict with the powers of darkness. In the wilderness of temptation the destiny of the human race had been at stake. Christ was then conqueror. Now the tempter had come for the last fearful struggle….. Everything was at stake. If he failed, his hope of mastery was lost; the kingdoms of the world would finally become Christ's and he would be overthrown and cast out. But if Christ could be overcome, the earth would become Satan's kingdom, and the human race would be forever in his power.

With the issues of the conflict before Him, Christ's soul was filled with dread of separation from God. Satan told Him that if He became the surety for a sinful world, the separation would be eternal. He would be identified with Satan's kingdom and would nevermore be one with God.

And what was to be gained by this sacrifice? How hopeless appeared the guilt and ingratitude of men! In its hardest features Satan pressed the situation upon the Redeemer: The people who claim to be above all others in temporal and spiritual advantages have rejected You. They are seeking to destroy You, the Foundation, the Center and the Seal of the promises made to them as a peculiar people. One of Your own disciples, who has listened to Your instruction, and has been among the foremost in church activities, will betray You. One of Your most zealous followers will deny You. All will forsake You. Christ's whole being abhorred the thought. That those whom He had undertaken to save, those whom He loved so much, should unite in the plots of Satan, pierced His soul.

The conflict was terrible…… the sense of God's wrath against sin was crushing out His life.

The chilling dew of night falls upon His prostrate form, but He heeds it not. From His pale lips comes the bitter cry, "O My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from Me." Yet even now He adds, "Nevertheless not as I will, but as Thou wilt."