Gethsemane (Easter Story 3) (Matthew 26:36-56, Luke 22:43-44, 51)

"Jesus wrestled with His destiny in Gethsemane"
© Karen Kyle Ericson, all rights reserved.

After the Last Supper, Jesus took the disciples to a garden called, "Gethsemane," to pray.  Jesus showed the pain and fear of the Son of Man; the strength and power of the Son of God. It was a very lonely night for Him.  He was so upset he cried tears of blood.  For some reason the disciples kept falling asleep so He was alone.

We don't really know when Jesus knew His exact fate or the exact details of these dark moments.  On this night, it appears He was seeing and feeling the horrible pain He would experience for all of mankind's sin.  He became the sacrifice man could not provide; the perfect lamb of God. He was reaching out for comfort, but couldn't find any.  Restless, He was unable to be still.  Perhaps the images of the crucifixion were on His mind.  

We too, experience our "Gethsemane" times.  When all seems without hope.  It's not over for Jesus yet, neither is it for us.  Triumph beyond belief will come.

Matthew 26:36-56
36 Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to the disciples, "Sit here while I go and pray over there."  37 And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and He began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed. 38 Then He said to them, "My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me."

39 He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, "O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will."

40 Then He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, "What! Could you not watch with Me one hour?  41 Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."

42 Again, a second time, He went away and prayed, saying, "O My Father, if this cup cannot pass away from Me unless I drink it, Your will be done."  43 And He came and found them asleep again, for their eyes were heavy.

In Luke, an angel is described as appearing to strengthen Him.  His anguish was so great, His sweat turned to great drops of blood. 
43 Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him. 44 And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.
Luke 22:43-44 NKJV

His response is now love. He is the Son of God.
So He left them, went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words. 45 Then He came to His disciples and said to them, "Are you still sleeping and resting? Behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners.  46 Rise, let us be going. See, My betrayer is at hand."

Matthew 26:44 

47 And while He was still speaking, behold, Judas, one of the twelve, with a great multitude with swords and clubs, came from the chief priests and elders of the people.

48 Now His betrayer had given them a sign, saying, "Whomever I kiss, He is the One; seize Him." 49 Immediately he went up to Jesus and said, "Greetings, Rabbi!" and kissed Him.

50 But Jesus said to him, "Friend, why have you come?" Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and took Him. 51 And suddenly, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword, struck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear.
Tradition shows Peter as the one who cut off the servant's ear. 

51 But Jesus answered and said, "Permit even this." And He touched his ear and healed him.

Luke 22:51

But Jesus said to him, "Put your sword in its place, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword.  53 Or do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels?  54 How then could the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must happen thus?"

Matthew 26:52

Jesus had a legion of angels at his request.  But He wanted to be the final sacrifice for us. The disciples were chosen to be the foundation of Jesus' Church and not soldiers.   These were men He personally spent time training, teaching, leading by example.  They were very important to God, as are we.  Through the confusion and chaos in the garden, the disciples were not harmed.

55 In that hour Jesus said to the multitudes, "Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs to take Me? I sat daily with you, teaching in the temple, and you did not seize Me.  56 But all this was done that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled."

56 Then all the disciples forsook Him and fled. 
Statements like this prove to me the Bible is true.  I would be afraid and run too.  If the Bible wasn't full of human stories, I wouldn't read it.  If I were there, on this day, I would cry in despair.  The light, the love of God would be destroyed.  I wouldn't know who to turn to for guidance and help.  Joy disappeared this night, hope became confusion.  I would wonder where is God?
NKJV

Here's a song by Matt Maher, Lord, I Need You (link).