38 Then he said to them, "My soul is overwhelmed withsorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watchwith me."
39 Going a little farther, he fell with his face to theground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, may thiscup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will." - P44
41 "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak."
42 He went away a second time and prayed, "My Father,if it is not possible for this cup to be takenI drink it, may your will be done." - P44
48 Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them:
"The one I kiss is the man; arrest him."
49 Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, "Greetings,Rabbi!" and kissed him. - P45
Jesus takes Peter, John, and James to pray with Him at Gethsemane. He asksthem to keep watch as He prays. Jesus prays fervently and returns to find Hisdisciples sleeping. This happens three times. - P45
After this, Jesus tells the disciplesit is time for Him to be delivered into the hands of sinners. Judas arrives witha large crowd and Jesus is arrested. - P45
Jesus‘ personal struggle with His impending suffering is exacerbated bythe disciples‘ sleepiness and inability to keep watch during this distress-ing and sorrowful hour. - P46
As a true human being, just like us, Jesus experiences anxiety and reluctance to undergo the violent pain of the cross,
so He naturally pleads for the Father to offer another way. - P46
But even inthe midst of His agony, Jesus lovingly checks in on His disciples, takingthe time to warn them about avoiding temptation. - P46
While we remain inour mortal bodies, we will constantly find our flesh resisting the work ofthe Spirit in us. - P46
But let us take heart because Jesus understands exactlywhat we are going through and is constantly interceding for us.
- P46
By bringing a large crowd armed with clubs and swords, Judas demonstrates
how this sinful world operates: with intimidation and force. - P46
Tomake his actions all the more sinister, Judas uses the affectionate symbolof a kiss as a signal for the armed men to identify and arrest Jesus. - P46
ButJesus remains calm for He has prepared for this very moment throughprayer and has submitted Himself to the Father‘s sovereign will. - P46
Knowing that all events take place
according to God‘s plan, believers shouldnever resort to violence. - P46
Like Jesus, we can face intimidation and theassaults of the enemy with confidence, assured that all things worktogether for our good and God‘s glory. - P46
"Jesus did not soothe the wrath of God-He endured it. He did not suppress orextinguish it as we would extinguish a fire; rather, He absorbed in His own soulthe full, unmitigated fury of God‘s wrath against sin." - Jerry Bridges - P46
Lord God, when my fear and the weaknesses of my flesh overwhelm me, helpme to cling to Your power and grace. - P47
Show me the path that I must take inorder to fulfill Your will, for Your glory. In Jesus‘ name, amen. - P47
One day, the young Christian approaches Jesus, asking for forgivenessfor skipping their time together. - P47
Christ reminds him, "You have beenthinking of the quiet time, of Bible study and prayer, as a means foryour own spiritual growth. This is true, but you have forgotten thatthis time means something to me also.... Whether or not you wantto be with me, remember I want to be with you."
- P47
I must admit I had never seen it that way. Yetmany passages of Scrip-ture testify to God‘s longing to fellowship with His people. - P47
WhenIsrael came out of Egypt, God dwelled in a tabernacle pitched amidtheir tents. In His anguish over the horrors of the cross looming beforeHim, Jesus asked Peter, James, and John to keep Him company. - P47
Thefact that God sent His Holy Spirit to live in us as a gift (Luke11:13), not as a begrudging loan, tells us that He loves to have usaround! Let us meditate uponthis truth and may it encourage us totreasure our quality time with God. - P47
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