Good morning,
This Friday is Passover and Sunday we will the resurrection of Jesus.
This week we will look at the events that happened prior to the cross. The preparation for the Passover, preliminary meal before Passover, the institution of the Lord’s supper, the garden of Gethsemane, the betrayal and arrest of Jesus, and His trials before Annas, Caiaphas, the Sanhedrin, Pilate, Herod Antipas, concluding with Pilate.
Next week we will look at the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus.
The garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:36-46)
“Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder.37 And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy.38 Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.39 And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.40 And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour? 41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.42 He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.43 And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy.44 And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words.45 Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.46 Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray me.”
Jesus prayed for God’s will to be done. The cross, shed blood, and resurrection was the only way. God the Father could not look on sin. Jesus was to become sin for all mankind. Father and Son would be separated for the first time.
The disciples are like us. We are asked to pray for something and we either forget or fall asleep while praying.
Watch and pray!
Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001
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