So off they went. Jesus headed, as usual, for the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him.
When he came to the place, he said to them,'Pray that you won't come to trial.'
He then withdrew from them about a stone's throw, and knelt down to pray.
'Father,' he said,'if you wish it - please take this cup away from me! But it must be your will, not mine.' An angel appeared to him from heaven, strengthening him. By now he was in agony, and he prayed fervently. And his sweat became like clots of blood, falling on the ground. Then he got up from praying, and came to the disciples and found them asleep because of sorrow.
'Why are you sleeping? he said to them. 'Get up and pray, so that you won't come into the trial.'
While he was speaking, a crowd appeared. The man named Judas, one of the Twelve, was leading them. He came towards Jesus to kiss him, but Jesus said to him, 'Judas! Are you going to betray the son of man with a kiss?'
Jesus' followers saw what was about to happen.
'Master!' they said. 'Shall we go in with the swords?' And one of them struck the high priest's servant, and cut off his right ear.
'Enough of that!' said Jesus, and healed the ear with a touch.
Then Jesus spoke to the chief priests, the Temple guardsmen, and the elders who had come after him.
'Anyone would think I was a brigand', he said,'for you to come out with swords and clubs! Every day I've been in the Temple with you and you never laid hands on me. But your moment has come at last, and so has the power of darkness.'
A true leader never wants those in his care to undergo any sort of serious 'trial','test' or 'great tribulation'. However, this is precisely what typically happens when the hour comes for that leader to come under attack. Jesus knew that, it happened all the time with Messianic movements and other rebel groups. This was different however. Jesus, in one sense knows that he must be tried, falsely convicted and executed in Jerusalem. (Luke 13v31-33) He is prepared for that. Many people are prepared to die for their faith. As a matter of fact, I've read Jewish writers trying to refute Jesus' sacrifice by pointing to other Jewish figures who died much more horrendous deaths for their faith.
So what happened between the upper room and this point in the Gospel where Jesus, who is normally so purposed and steadfast, in control... appears to be looking for a way out? Shrinking back from his vocation? Well, he was becoming sin for us. He was heading directly into the heart of darkness...him who knew no sin, no separation from God, was marching into God-forsakenness,to take the full weight of it on himself for the sake of those whom he loves and through them for the whole world. God-forsakenness...the full mental, spiritual and physical agony of being without God. The doubts came flooding in...maybe he had heard something wrong, misunderstood a sign, maybe like Abraham and Isaac...an angel would appear at this, the last moment, and stay the sacrifice...provide another way. This is a state of absolute suffering. The mention of his sweating blood is a documented condition very rarely found, but when it happens it is due to the person being amidst the highest levels of stress and mental anguish. The angel appears and does not provide an escape from this great tribulation, but rather the strength to stand through it. There is no other way.
He gets up and finds his disciples asleep for sorrow. Their flesh got the best of them. It does that sometimes, but He is merciful. He has taught them the whole time to pray...'lead us not into the perilous trial, but deliver us from evil'...he has prayed in the high priestly prayer that they not be taken out of the world, but they be kept safe from the evil one. The darkness.
His disciples taking up swords...well that was as ridiculous as the mob showing up with swords and clubs. Apparently, there is still little to no understanding of His Kingdom message, the message of peace...as though evil means could ever bring about righteous ends...He is neither a rebel zealot nor a militant messiah...but the answer has been given from Heaven and it has to be this way, the time for explaining is over. Now is the time for battle.
What about us?
We are told by the Apostle Peter (1 Peter 4v12-13) 'Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation.'
We are told by the Apostle James (James 1v12) 'Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
We are told by the author of Hebrews 'It is for discipline that you endure; God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline?' shortly after he reminds us that we 'have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood in your striving against sin'
We are told by Paul to 'take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH, and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, and having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.'
And pray God we never lose sight of the fact that 'we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.'
May God's grace fill us and cover us. Blessed Father, by your Word, have mercy on us for our failings...for they are many. May Your spirit fall afresh upon us as You lead us forward in triumphant procession. May we, as one body in Messiah, remain alert and in fervent prayer, careful to never let our love grow cold, knowing Your faithfulness through Jesus Christ our King. May we be found in Him, not having a covenant faithfulness of our own derived from the Law or any other means, but that which is through faith in Messiah,the covenant faithfulness which comes from God on the basis of faith, that we may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; in order that we may attain to the resurrection from the dead. I pray these things in Jesus' name. Amen.
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