The Garden of Gethsemane
Matthew 26:36-56; Mark 14:26-52; Luke 22:39-53; John 18:1-11
I believe that John 14-17 was Jesus words to His disciples at that Passover meal before they went to the Garden of Gethsemane, because we see in John 18:1 these words: “When Jesus had spoken these words, He went forth with His disciples over the winter torrent of the brook Kidron or Cedron, depending on the Bible translation you read, where there was a garden into which He and His disciples entered. We know from the other gospels that garden is Gethsemane.
When Jesus came to Gethsemane, He said to His disciples: “Sit here while I go and pray.” He took Peter and James and John with him, and he began to experience grief and distress of mind and was deeply depressed. He said to them: “My soul is very sad and deeply grieved so that I am almost dying of sorrow. Stay here and keep awake and keep watch with Me.” And going a little further, He threw Himself upon the ground on His face and prayed: “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass away from Me; nevertheless, not what I will, not what I desire, but as You will and desire.”
And He came to His disciples and found them sleeping. He said to Peter: “What! Are you so unable to stay awake and keep watch with Me for one hour?” “All of you must keep awake, and watch and pray, that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” PRAYER IS ESSENTIAL TO RESIST TEMPTATION AND LIVE LIFE AS GOD DIRECTS, A LIFE OF JOY AND PEACE.
He went away a second time to pray: “My Father, if this cannot pass by unless I drink it, Your will be done.” And again He came and found Peter, James and John sleeping. Leaving again, He prayed for the third time, using the same words. Then He returned to His disciples and said to them: “Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? Behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us go. See, My betrayer is at hand!”
While Jesus yet spoke, Judas and a great multitude of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees came with swords and clubs. Judas betrayed Jesus with a kiss as the sign of the one to seize. Judas said: “Whomsoever I kiss, He is the One; seize Him.” When He kissed Jesus he said: “Hail, Master!” Jesus reply was: “Friend, for what are you here?”
Jesus said to the multitude: “Whom do you seek?’ They answered: “Jesus of Nazareth.” His answer: “I am He.” As soon as He spoke that statement they all fell backward to the ground. He asked them again: “Whom do you seek?” They said: “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus answered: “I told you that I am He; if therefore you seek Me, let these go their way.” He spoke this that the scripture might be fulfilled that He had lost none that the Father had given Him.
When the crowd seized Jesus and arrested Him, hotheaded Peter drew his sword and struck a servant of the high priest’s and cut off his ear. Jesus said to him: “Put your sword back in its place, for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. Do you suppose that I cannot pray to My Father and He would immediately provide me with more than 12 legions (more than 80,000) angels? But how then would the scriptures be fulfilled, that it must come about this way? The cup that My Father has given to Me, shall I not drink it?”
Then Jesus said to the crowd: “Have you come out with swords and clubs as you would against a robber to capture Me? Daily I was accustomed to sit in the porches and courts of the temple teaching, and you did not arrest Me.” All of this took place that the scriptures might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples deserted Jesus and fled and escaped.