Friday, September 16, 2011

A Morning Cup of Tea: Praying Alone in the Garden

Yesterday we read Matthew 26: 1-29.  It is the Passover. Judas has already conspired to betray Jesus for thirty pieces of silver, the passover meal has been eaten, and Jesus has instituted the communion, or Lord's Supper  -the partaking of the unleavened bread and the fruit of the vine.
 We  begin today's reading in verse 30. I will be mostly paraphrasing, so please read for yourself.
  After the disciples and Jesus had sung a hymn they went to the Mount of Olives. Jesus told them all they would not be able to handle what was coming and would abandon him, but after he rose again he would meet them in Galilee.
  Peter was very boastful of his relationship with Jesus. He said he'd never leave  Jesus like that. 
 34. Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.
 Peter is probably still not understanding of what is to come, although he wants to be very faithful and loyal, says I would die with you. I wouldn't deny you. All the disciples agreed. They aren't being foolish here. They truly thought at the time they'd be there for Jesus.
 They came to Gethsemane, and Jesus told most of the disciples to sit and wait for him there. He took Peter, James and John (sons of Zebedee) with him a little further. Jesus tells them how heavy his heart is at the moment.  He asked them to stay and keep watch. He went by himself  to pray.
 39. And he went a little further, 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.
He went back to Peter, and found them asleep. He fussed at them, Couldn't you keep watch for an hour?
 41. Watch and pray,  that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.
 Jesus went back to pray a second time, saying if this had to be done this way, then let God's will be done, not his own.
  Again he found his disciples asleep. He left them this time and went to pray a third time. 
  We are stopping at verse 44 today.    

No comments:

Post a Comment