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Prayer
and Arrest
INTRODUCTION
Our lesson today could
very well be re-titled, “ Smite the Shepherd” or “ The Man of
Sorrows”. Zechariah 13:7 had predicted the darkness and shadows in this period of Jesus’ life when he said: “ Awake, O Sword,
against my Shepherd, against the man who stands next to me , says the Lord
of hosts: Smite the Shepherd that the sheep may be scattered: and I will
turn my hand upon the little ones. ” Our lesson also begins to deal in detail with the prophecies of Isaiah 52: 13-15 and 53:1-4. We read: “ Behold, my servant
shall deal prudently, he shall be exalted and extolled,
and be very high; As many were astonished at thee; his visage was so
marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men:
So shall he sprinkle many nations; the Kings shall shut their
mouths at him; for that which had not been told them they shall see; and
that which they had not heard shall they consider. Who hath believed our
report? And to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed? For he shall grow up
before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a
dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see
him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. He is despised and
rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid
as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and
we esteemed him not. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried
our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken,smitten of God, and
afflicted.” Note the well laid-out
path to be followed by the suffering Servant of Jehovah. His suffering is
described in detail, so there is no question that he would be a Suffering
servant. But He would “be exalted”, that is, resurrected, he
would be “lifted up”, and he would be “ very high”. Jesus never ever spoke of
a ‘cross’ to his disciples, without linking it with the resurrection;
but they never wanted to believe in his death, and so they never
could accept his words about the resurrection and believe in those words.
Nothing Jesus said could comfort them. They were filled with a
false confidence that rested on their own weak human will and
determination, and this quickly caught up with them. That death and
resurrection was determined by God and written into the plan of God.
His strange rejection then was no accident.
No wonder then that his own people, when they at last recognize him
on his return, will mourn over what had happened and what they had done. The travail of his soul
had now begun. His own people
would reject him, and his beloved children would be scattered. Remember also that
according to Zechariah, it was God that would smite his own Shepherd, to
separate everyone from him, so that he would stand alone to bear the sins
of the world alone. When Jesus was being
isolated we learn some great lessons. It is evident that we
have a Great Hi Priest, who was it all points tempted, as we are, and even
though he was shaking, and his agony
there was most severe and intense, he learned obedience by his
suffering, and did not sin, but came out of his struggles as completely
reliant on God as ever, with a sense of immense calm and control. We can therefore learn
here that we must reject our tendency to excuse ourselves and our sin when
the pressure gets really great. For all of us there will
come a time that we will not want to obey God, no matter what the Word of
God says. There are times when our strength is at an end. Jesus showed us by his
own example, that at that time we must place ourselves on the mercy and
grace of God, for if we do not, whatever we do of our own accord will not
work. Our High Priest
understands us and our temptations. He
has provided the Holy Spirit
to be always with us, to help us through all our difficulties. This is
most important, for Satan always tries to insinuate that Jesus did not
undergo the same temptations that we have, and that it was the fact that
he had no sin nature, which makes him different from us. He would have us
believe that we cannot succeed when we follow his example.
So he whispers to us that we are too weak and that we cannot fight
successfully. Note however, Jesus was a
Priest, and to be a Priest he must be a man to represent men.
A Priest also had to offer sacrifices to deal with the problem of
separation of men from God, and to do that he had to understand the
awfulness of guilt and sin. Our lesson today deals
with and eliminates the problem of how Jesus could understand our
pressures and sympathize with us, though he had never sinned. Let us
therefore look carefully at what happened to Jesus in the light of the
Prophecies. Bear in mind that in all
this, the Scriptures emphasized and carefully preserved the fact of this
sinlessness of Jesus himself. He
was absolutely without sin, even though he bore the sins of others. Note also that our
passage revealed that Jesus knew what would happen to him, and he
understood fully the divine program. John had reported that
Jesus had repeatedly stated, even before Gethsemane, that as he
contemplated the Cross, his soul was troubled.
See John 12:27-28. On that occasion, the voice of God spoke from
heaven. (Verses 29-33.0 Before we look at the
text, let us stress that there were only a few of the people of God that
had anything to do with the sorrows of Gethsemane.
The majority of the disciples were left behind and shut away from
that deep event and even the favourites of Jesus, whom he took with him,
did not see the agonizing mental suffering and the indescribably horrible
attacks of Hell. The lesson today holds a
wealth of practical instruction for the life of the believer.
It is replete with the most glorious and profound theological
themes that include the power and sovereignty of God, the omniscience of
God, the dual nature of Christ, election and the absolute necessity of the
Atonement. It is clear, as revealed
in the plethora of prophecies fulfilled, that God’s knowledge of future
events can only be attributed to His control and orchestration of them. Thus the Scripture
declares “this One given to you by the before-determined counsel and
foreknowledge of God, you have taken and by lawless hands, crucifying Him,
you put Him to death;” (Acts 2:23) The
topic ‘Prayer and Arrest’ highlight two themes – First, that
absolute victory belongs to those whose wills are absolutely yielded to
God. And that persistence in
prayer is indispensable in the battle to overcome temptation. We
see that the believer has no spiritual strength apart from that which God
supplies. We also see that in times of need he dispatches angels to
minister and strengthen the saints. “Are they not all ministering
spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of
salvation?” (Heb 1:14). The
inability of Peter, James and John to stay awake and pray while Jesus
prayed in those last hours, really points to the weakness of the flesh and
thus the need for the believer to constantly draw strength from the Holy
Spirit. Jesus’ attitude, desire
to pray and submission to the will of God in a time of unimaginable
anguish, is a pattern that every believer aught to follow, particularly in
times of deep distress. The second theme is
brought to light as we examine the arrest of Jesus and the list of
characters involved in this most wicked act.
They include the Roman soldiers, the Sanhedrin (the most corrupt
and profane religious Jewish institution), the so called spiritual
leaders; the Pharisees and the Scribes, the elders of the people and many
of the Jews themselves. And of course the now
infamous Judas; whose treachery deservedly crowns him the son of
perdition. Although
intimately acquainted with the Messiah, experiencing and participating in
the miracles of Christ; and
receiving direct teaching and instruction from the Master – Judas
remained a liar and a thief, he was a devil from the beginning to the end.
For him, the Scripture says ‘…it would have been better that
he had no been born”, (Matt 26:24). For the company of the
redeemed – Judas played an unpleasant but integral part in the plan of
God to save His elect. Truly
the depth of the wisdom of God is unsearchable. “While
I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou
gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition;
that the scripture might be fulfilled. “ (John 17:12) “Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:” (Act 2:23). IMMEDIATE BACKGROUNDThese
are the last hours of Jesus’ life.
He and his disciples have gathered to eat the Passover meal, and
here institute the ordinance of the Lord’s Supper. It is also here that
Jesus positively identifies, for the disciples, the one who would betray
him.
Judas apparently leaves the company of the disciples, Satan having entered his heart, Jesus now says ‘what you do, do quickly’ and so Judas sought the first opportunity to fulfill his destiny as the man of perdition.
The TextMatt 26:
36-50 Verse 36.
Jesus had finished celebrating what he knew would be his last
Passover with his disciples. This
time also marked a significant new beginning, the institution of the
ordinance of the Lord's Supper (see March 13 supplement for
discussion on the Lord’s Supper).
We join the text at the point when Jesus is leaving the upper room,
headed for the Mount of Olives to a place where he often met with his
disciples and frequently prayed. The disciples less Judas, followed
closely behind (Luke 22:39). It is evident that Jesus
was certainly a man of fervent prayer, showing by example the most
profitable habits that his disciples should cultivate.
Thus as he enters the place called Gethsemane to find a quiet
secluded place to pray, he also encourages his disciples to pray, lest
they fall into temptation, Luke 22:40. The place we commonly
refer to as the Garden of Gethsemane was at the foot of the Mount of
Olives, and was a frequent meeting place for Jesus and his disciples,
(John 18:2). It was located just across the Kidron Valley, approximately
one kilometre from Jerusalem, (John 18:1). The
word Gethsemane means "oil-press," and would indicate that a
press for making oil out of the olives, which grew in abundance on the
mountain, stood there. It was on the western slope of the Mount of Olives. This is the place where the passion of Christ began; where torrents of anguish and pain poured out of Jesus as if he were the very olives being pressed. The cup set before him was extremely bitter, but none other could drink it. Verse 37.
Though all the disciples, less Judas, went with Jesus to
Gethsemane, Jesus saw fit to take closer to the place where he would pray,
only Peter, James and John. These
three were also with him on the Mount of Transfiguration and throughout
Scripture are evidently the most prominent of all the Apostles, whose
writings are considered inspired and included in the canon of Scripture. It may be, that having
been present at the transfiguration and experiencing the glory of Christ
in greater measure than any other human, that these men knew, most
intimately, the real nature of Christ, and thus were the most qualified to
support Christ in this dark hour. We note that this is the first time that
Jesus sought help from his disciples. This is most unusual and unexpected.
We can begin to see the humanity of Jesus, the deep distress of his soul,
and we get an indicating of the awful intensity of his struggle. It is true that in times
of our deepest distress, we turn to those whom we know best, for solace. Some commentators have
suggested that the remaining disciples were lookouts, and explain the
possession of two swords, one of which Peter was apparently carrying, to
defend themselves against would be attackers.
It seems that the rugged path that they had to take to get to
Gethsemane was notorious for robbers and particularly dangerous at this
time of night. This however
is mere conjecture; the Scripture only mentions Jesus commanding the
disciples to pray. The celebration of
Passover aught to have been a joyous time of thanksgiving, commemorating
deliverance from Egyptian bondage, and the anticipation of the coming
Messiah. Jesus however, most
likely had been in a sombre mood. Jerusalem was filled with
Jews who came from near and far; Jews that all their life had longed for
the Messiah; yet very few actually recognized or accepted Jesus as the One
for whom they waited. The
weight of rejection was immense “He came to his own, and his own
received him not”, (John 1:11).
But what infinitely outweighed the rejection was the imminent
prospect of bearing the sins of the world and the temporary estrangement
of the Father. The hour was fast
approaching, and at the contemplation of bearing the sins of the world,
Jesus began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed.
This scene points directly to the human nature of Christ and that
indeed more than any other, he was a man acquainted with grief.
For this same reason, he is most qualified to be our high priest. “He is despised
and rejected of men; a Man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as
it were a hiding of faces from Him, He being despised, and we esteemed Him
not. Surely He has borne our
griefs, and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten of
God, and afflicted…”, (Isaiah 53:3-4). “Therefore in all things it behoved him to be made like His brothers, that He might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of His people.” (Hebrews 2:17). Verse 38.
Peter, James and John most certainly witnessed Jesus’ change
in demeanour, the pain and sorrow clearly reflected in his eyes must have
stirred their emotions also, as Jesus tells them that his ‘soul is
exceedingly sorrowful, even to death’.
Fresh in their minds would be the institution of the Lord’s
Supper and the symbolic meaning of the breaking of the bread and the wine,
(Matt 26:26-28, 1 Cor 11:23-26). The
ominous thought that this would be the last time they would celebrate
Passover (Matt 26:29), certainly pointed to Jesus’ death and the end of
His earthly ministry. Throughout the Scriptures
we see the prophecies of the suffering servant of Jehovah, but it was just
a week or two prior to their return to Jerusalem, that Jesus begins to
stress the inevitability of his death, (Matt
17:12; Mk 8:31, 9:12; Luke 9:22, 17:25, 22:15, 24:26, 24:46.) “From
that time Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem
and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and
be killed, and be raised again the third day.” (Matt16:21) By
now they were physically tired, this may in part be due to the lateness of
the hour, but this tiredness is specifically attributed to their sorrow
(Luke 22:45). Note however that Jesus himself must have been tired
physically, and yet faced and bore immense mental distress.
The attitude of the disciples certainly showed their lack of
sensitivity and awareness. They
must have seen that he had begun to be sorrowful and “very heavy”.
This word means that Jesus “was
driven to the very verge of distraction by the intensity of his
anguish.” The
word translated “ exceeding sorrowful”
“means encompassed, encircled, overwhelmed with grief. He was plunged head and ears in sorrow and had no breathing
hole.” The
Book of Mark used another
word “sore amazed” to describe Jesus’ feelings.
This was “ extremity of amazement, like that of Moses when he
did exceedingly fear and quake”. We
must therefore understand that the misery of Jesus was unequal and there
was nor is any sorrow that could match up to the sorrow that was being put
through. The
question must be asked, why was the agony so intense?
Here
we rightly can indulge in some speculation, for we are never really given
the fellowship with the sorrows of Gethsemane, and we have not been
allowed to see the mysteries of his agony.
Still the Scriptures do give us some clues, and these allow us to
dig a little deeper. The
soul of Jesus would often look into sorrow when he began to fully
comprehend the meaning of the sin that he was now bearing. We remember
that the prophet told us that our sins were laid on him, this man of
grief. We
recall that the Psalmist, when he realized his own individual single sin,
and the depravity of it, that
he could not sleep when he became
aware of the horror of it. Yet
this was only one single sin, and He being human would only very faintly
understand the heinousness of it. Yet
he said: “
My bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long, For day and night
thy hand was heavy upon me; my moisture is turned into the drought of
summer.” Can
one imagine the revulsion, when Jesus, God come down to man from the holy,
righteous, excellent, perfect and untainted glories of heaven, was
confronted by sin in its natural blackness.
He now saw distinctly the depth of the treasonous attack on God
that sin represented. He
could look at the destructive influence of sin on man that he had created
perfect, and the murderous hatred in man toward him. No
wonder that Jesus was so horrified, as he now began to assume his official position in regard to sin, now made sin for us, the
sin bearer, the substitute to bear the divine justice, getting what man
richly deserved, God the Father laying on him the iniquities of us all. He
realized that he was innocent, and sinless, and that he had voluntarily
chosen to do this task, but now that he was so close to iniquity his
perfect state must have recoiled in horror.
Jesus
clearly now had an extremely clear view of the shame and suffering of his
crucifixion, and so we now read in verse 39, that he could not restrain
himself from strong crying and tears at this prospect. The
book of Hebrews tells us in 5:7-10 “
In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with
loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he
was heard for his godly fear. Although
he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered.” Jesus
then tells them to stay at a certain place, to remain awake, ‘watch or
tarry’ with him. ‘Watch’ literally and or figuratively
speaking, means to be alert and vigilant – something one is not able to
do while sleeping. The context suggest that they must stay awake in order to
commit this time to prayer, that they aught to watch in-case they fall
into temptation, (Mark 14:38; Luke 22:39).
One writer puts it like this - “Tarry
ye here and watch with me - The word rendered “watch” means,
literally, to abstain from sleep; then to be vigilant, or to guard against
danger. Here it seems to mean to sympathize with him, to unite with him in
seeking divine support, and to prepare themselves for approaching
dangers”. One
might conclude that if the disciples had fully comprehended the enormity
of what Christ must do, and the full significance of his sacrifice, they
most certainly would have stayed awake to pray. This is what we would
expect and hope for, but frankly we doubt whether they could do any
better. We
may also conclude that their inability to watch and pray really points to
their weakness and not their willingness;
“…the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak”,
Mark 14:38. That is unfortunately the position that the brethren often
face. Their supporters are
many times never to be found when they should be found and available.
Despite knowing what the disciples went through, and their
mistakes, and despite having the presence of the Holy Spirit within us, we
often behave disgracefully. Thus
to secure their salvation they are completely dependant on the work of
Christ. Jesus’
command to his disciples to watch and pray is of great instructional value
to every believer. Note, it is often at the times of our greatest
spiritual battles that we are tempted to succumb to the physical demands
of the body. At these times, we most desperately need to be in prayer and
close communion with God, that the enemy of our souls not hinder our
submission to His will. Fear is a powerful
controlling emotion, many have deviated from their path and denied their
profession because of it. Though,
like Peter we say that we are willing to die for Christ, we are more prone
to deny him because of fear. (Matt 26:69-74) Jesus indeed was in extreme distress and anguish, but this was not due to the fear of men or the physical torments of the cross. Jesus was full of sorrow, because in a few short hours he was to drink the full cup of divine wrath against sin. A cup that none other than a divine being could bare. Thus, in Gethsemane we see the divine nature of Christ as well as his human nature. Verse 39.
Jesus then separated himself from the three that had been
closest to him, going further into Gethsemane alone, to pray.
There are certain times in a believer’s life that they will face
some battle alone, having exhausted the willing hearts of their closest
spiritual companions, we must seek strength directly from the source, the
ministration of the Holy Spirit and those holy angels employed by him to
strengthen us in these times (Luke 22:43). There are many ways in
which people pray, but in times of deepest distress it was customary to
bow low with ones face to the ground; and this is the meaning of the
phrase that he “fell on his face…” Luke
says “he kneeled down”. He did both.
He first kneeled, and then, in the fervency of his prayer and the
depth of his sorrow, he fell with his face on the ground, denoting the
deepest anguish and the most earnest entreaty. This was the usual posture
of prayer in times of great earnestness. (See Num_16:22; 2Ch_20:18;
Neh_8:6.) Jesus prayed to the
Father beseeching him to let this cup pass. A cup is often the
symbol of divine wrath against sin (Is 51:17,22; Jer 625:15-17, 27-29; Lam
4:21,22; Ezek 23:31-34; Hab 2:16). Christ would bare the sins of many (Heb
9:28) and the full wrath of God would fall on him. (Is 53:10,11; 2 Cor
5:21). Jesus paid the full
price for our sins; his cry of anguish (27:46) reflects the extreme
bitterness of this cup. ‘Not as I will, but as you will…’ There is no implied conflict between the persons of the Godhead, rather this phrase displays Jesus in his humanity, voluntarily surrendering his will to the will of Father in all things. And this is done that there may be no conflict between the divine will and his desires. Barnes comments : If
it be possible - That is, if the world can be redeemed - if it be
consistent with justice, and with maintaining the government of the
universe, that people should be saved without this extremity of sorrow,
let it be done. There is no doubt that if it had been possible it would
have been done; and the fact that these sufferings were “not” removed,
and that the Saviour went forward and bore them without mitigation, shows
that it was not consistent with the justice of God and with the welfare of
the universe that people should be saved without the awful sufferings of
“such an atonement.” Let
this cup - These bitter sufferings, these approaching trials. The word cup
is often used in this sense, denoting sufferings. See the notes at
Mat_20:22. Not
as I will, but as thou wilt - As Jesus was man as well as God, there is
nothing inconsistent in supposing that, as man, he was deeply affected in
view of these sorrows. When he speaks of His will, he expresses what
“human nature,” in view of such great sufferings, would desire. It
naturally shrunk from them and sought deliverance. Yet he sought to do the
will of God. He chose rather that the high purpose of God should be done,
than that that purpose should be abandoned from regard to the fears of his
human nature. In this he has left a model of prayer in all times of
affliction. It is right, in times of calamity, to seek deliverance. Like
the Saviour, also, in such seasons we should, we must submit cheerfully to
the will of God, confident that in all these trials he is wise, and
merciful, and good. Verse 40.
After praying for a while, Jesus returns to find his dearest
earthly companions asleep. Singling
out Peter, Jesus asks if he was unable to spend just an hour to support
him in prayer. For what
purpose he singled out Peter in this rebuke is left to conjecture – but
it seems plausible that Jesus’ expectation of Peter as the ‘Rock’
demanded far greater resilience in spiritual matters. We should however
remember that Peter had led all the disciples in being bold and confident
about what he would and would not do.
He was confident in the flesh. Sadly, Satan had very little trouble
with Peter. He did not even have to tempt him. All Satan needed to do to have Peter collapse was to make him
too sleepy to pray. His
determination, his firm resolve, his confidence, his boldness just
dissolved. He slept instead
of praying. Jesus knew Peter’s
heart and correctly analyzed the situation, but this was a loving rebuke. We all tend to depend too
much on the flesh, and we will all find that the confidence we have in our
selves, will always collapse and we will become weak when the hour of
testing comes. Self-confidence, the human belief in independence, the arm of flesh will fail you. One writer comments: “ This is the
analysis Jesus gives of Peter’s problem.
The key is prayer. If
Peter, like Jesus, feeding sleepy and weak, had cast himself upon the
Father and told him the problem, the Father would have carried him
through, and he would not have denied his Lord. You see, it is our
weakness that is our security, not our strength.
That is why I am not terribly impressed when young people tell me
how much they are going to do for God and how certain they are that they
can carry it through. I have learnt, out a sad experience in my own life as well as
by the testimony of Scripture, that in the hour of testing, this
self-confidence will all wash away. But
I have confidence in the man or woman who says, “I’m scared. I don’t
think I can do this, but I’m going to try, because God tells me to.
I’m looking to him to strengthen me”. Prayer is a simple
principle, but what a transformation is obtained in our lives when it is
practised! Prayer – what a difference it makes. Strength is what prayer
provides, and this is what Gethsemane teaches. Jesus prayed when the flesh
quailed. And though he sweat drops of blood, he stood firm and did the
will of the Father. Peter slept.” Thus to all who are called to positions of leadership within the body of Christ, be it Pastor, Deacon, Evangelist or Teacher, must expect and be prepared to forfeit sleep whenever occasioned. “Therefore since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not faint.” (2 Cor4:1, 4:16; Luke 18:1) Verse 41.
Christ knows those who are his and that their spirit is willing.
Christ also knows the depths of depravity into which man has been drawn by
sin. He knows that the weak
spot is the flesh – that fallen nature of man and that this is the point
of entry for all kinds of temptation.
Thus he implores Peter as he does all believers, to pray lest they
enter into temptation. Prayer is our defence
against temptation. The term
‘falling into temptation,’ gives us insight into the process by
which temptation often comes and the swiftness with which it may overtake
us. Temptations are those
allurements placed before us that are designed to entice us to sin.
Falling into temptation denotes the sort that creeps upon us,
taking us almost unawares; they are those things, to which we would have
sworn, like Peter, we would never do. True Christians aught not
to wilfully sin. Premeditated,
calculated, planned sin in the life of the believer is an abomination.
This type of sin may actually point to the fact they are not truly
born again. The Scripture declares those who are born again incapable of
continual, wilful sin. The
sins committed by a believer, therefore, are really of the nature of those
previously described, those that come upon us suddenly.
Standard commentary on Gal 6:1 gives us an idea as to the nature of
the believers’ sin and the brethrens expected response to it. Brethren,
if a man be overtaken - Margin, “Although.” It is a case which the
apostle supposes might happen. Christians were not perfect; and it was
possible that they who were true Christians might be surprised by
temptation, and fall into sin. The word rendered “be overtaken”, means
properly “to take before another, to anticipate” 1Co_11:21; then “to
be before taken or caught”; and may here mean either that one had been
formerly guilty of sin or had been recently hurried on by his passions or
by temptations to commit a fault. It is probable that the latter here is
the true sense, and that it means, if a man is found to be overtaken by
any sin; if his passions, or if temptation get the better of him. Tyndale
renders it: “If any man be fallen by chance into any fault.” It refers
to cases of surprise, or of sudden temptation. Christians do not commit
sin deliberately, and as a part of the plan of life; but they may be
surprised by sudden temptation, or urged on by impetuous or headstrong
passion, as David and Peter were. Paul does not speak of the possibility
of restoring one who deliberately forms the plan of sinning; he does not
suppose that such a man could be a Christian, and that it would be proper
to speak of restoring such a man. Ye
which are spiritual - Who are under the influences of the Holy Spirit; see
the note at Gal_5:22-23. The apostle, in this verse, refers evidently to
those who have fallen into some sensual indulgence Gal_5:19-21, and says
that they who have escaped these temptations, and who are under the
influences of the Spirit, should recover such persons. It is a very
important qualification for those who would recover others from sin, that
they should not be guilty of the same sin themselves. Reformers should be
holy persons; people who exercise discipline in the church should be
“spiritual” men - people in whom implicit confidence may be properly
reposed. Restore
such a one - On the meaning of the word used here, see the note at
2Co_13:11. Here it means, not to restore him to the church after he has
been excluded, but set him right, bring him back, and recover him from his
errors and his faults. The apostle does not say in what manner this is to
be done; but it is usually to be done doubtless by affectionate
admonition, by faithful instruction, and by prayer. Discipline or
punishment should not be resorted to until the other methods are tried in
vain; Mat_18:15-17. In
the spirit of meekness - With a kind, forbearing, and forgiving spirit;
see the note at Mat_5:5. Not with anger; not with a lordly and overbearing
mind; not with a love of finding others in fault, and with a desire for
inflicting the discipline of the church; not with a harsh and unforgiving
temper, but with love, and gentleness, and humility, and patience, and
with a readiness to forgive when wrong has been done. This is an essential
qualification for restoring and recovering an offending brother. No one
should attempt to rebuke or admonish another who cannot do it in the
spirit of meekness; no man should engage in any way in the work of reform
who has not such a temper of mind. Considering
thyself ... - Remembering how liable you are yourself to err; and how much
kindness and indulgence should therefore be shown to others. You are to
act as if you felt it possible that you might also be overtaken with a
fault; and you should act as you would wish that others should do toward
you. The
doctrine taught by Paul is, that such is human infirmity, and such the
strength of human depravity, that no one knows into what sins he may
himself fall. He may be tempted to commit; the same sins which he
endeavours to amend in others; he may be left to commit even worse sins.
If this is the case, we should be tender while we are firm; forgiving
while we set our faces against evil; prayerful while we rebuke; and
compassionate when we are compelled to inflict on others the discipline of
the church. Everyone who has any proper feelings, when he attempts to
recover an erring brother should pray for him and for himself also; and
will regard his duty as only half done, and that very imperfectly, if he
does not “consider also that he himself may be tempted.” Verse 42.
Jesus returns to spend more time in prayer, presenting again
the same request, acknowledging that the cup may only pass by his drinking
it, and if this be the case, the ‘Father’s will’, will be done. It is not wrong, but actually encouraged for us to petition the Father persistently to remove heavy burdens- but we must at the same time acknowledge that He may not, for his will exceeds our desires, and the purpose of our suffering may actually bring infinitely more glory to the Father. Verse 43-44
After this second session of prayer, Jesus comes again to find the
disciples sleeping, because they were very tired ‘their eyes were
heavy’. This time Jesus
did not bother to say anything to them, Mark records they did not know
what to say (Mk 14:40). Jesus
returned a third time to pray. Uttering the same words
he begs the Father to let this cup pass; the weight of his burden
was immense, yet Jesus was resolute that the Father’s will be done.
Thus Luke records that after acknowledging and submitting his will
to the Father, an angel came and strengthened him. The anguish was in fact so intense that the evangelist records that :- “And
being in an agony He prayed more earnestly. And His sweat was as it were
great drops of blood falling down to the ground.” (Lk
22:44) This verse describes a
possible dangerous medical condition known as hematidrosis, which is the
effusion of blood in one’s perspiration. It can be caused by extreme
anguish or physical strain. Subcutaneous capillaries dilate and burst, mingling blood
with sweat. Jesus himself said he was brought to the point of death in this spiritual battle (Matt 26:28) “For
consider Him who endured such contradiction of sinners against Himself,
lest you be weary and faint in your minds. You have not yet resisted unto
blood, striving against sin.” (Heb
12:3-4) It
is most likely that the Father had began the process of withdrawing from
his Son, now that the ‘laying the sins of the world’ had begun to fall
on him. He now had no man
with him, and no Father with him. All
the pressures that could come to bear on his humanity would be there on
him as he stood alone. Imagine
the temptation that he would face from Satan.
Jesus had said that the Prince of the world would come and would
find nothing in him, (John
14: 30). So we know that Satan would come to him in the garden of
Gethsemane and this would be a hand to hand fight. Before victory was achieved, Jesus would sweat great drops of
blood. One
writer comments on this encounter: “
Let us reflect that no suffering can be unknown to him.
We do but run with footmen- he had to contend with horsemen; we do
but wade up to our ankles in shallow streams of sorrow-he had to buffet
with the swellings of Jordan. He
will never fail to succour his people when tempted; even as it was said of
old, “ In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his
presence saved them.” Satan
now made that last desperate attempt to destroy Jesus. He knew that it had
been predicted that Jesus would bruise his head. Since
Jesus told us that Satan would come and find nothing in him, it seems
clear that Satan would have tempted Jesus, in order to convince him to
abandon his work. He would
have seized on the prayer of Jesus “If it be possible let this cup
pass from me.” He
would have pointed out that Jesus was wasting his time trying to save
these hopeless people, for he could see that his best friends were
sleeping when he needed them, and that his treasurer Judas was betraying
him for the price of a common slave.
The best and brightest in his own nation, his own people, were all
set to kill him. What a bunch of people to die for! We
also read in Scripture that Jesus was heard, in that he feared.
This tells us that Jesus was driven by the fear that his strength would
not be sufficient, that he was too weak to survive. That God had forsaken
him and that his enemies would take him, and as Psalm 22 puts it, his soul
would be delivered to the sword, to the lion’s mouth, and to the power
of the dogs. Satan
would be attacking the humanity of Christ and his inability to survive the
baptism with which he was faced. He
had no friend left in heaven or on earth, and he Satan would overcome him. This
was the pinnacle of Satan’s attack and Jesus had to overcome on his own,
and so God would not and did not intervene directly but only sent an angel
to strengthen him, removing the fear.
We are therefore told that Jesus was heard in that he feared,
and now he knew that he was and had never been alone, for Heaven had
always been with him. Though
Jesus had been going backwards and forwards three times seeking some help
from his disciples, and these mere mortals would give him no help, Heaven
was still with him. One
writer fears that the only comfort Jesus received from his disciples, was
that since they were sleeping, they were not out planning treachery.
They were still in some great sense loyal to him.
Their spirit was willing indeed, but the flesh was weak. Of
course Satan desired to smite the sheep, hence Peter's problems. Satan
would have taunted Jesus that he would be smitten, and he Satan would
control them. One
writer likens Jesus' behaviour thus: “
Perhaps this is more truly the reason why Jesus went three times to look
at his disciples. You have seen a mother; she is very faint, weary with a heavy
sickness, but she labours under a sore dread that her child will die.
She has started from her couch, upon which disease had thrown her,
to snatch a moment's rest. She
gazes anxiously upon her child. She
marks the faintest sign of recovery. But
she is sore sick herself, and cannot remain more than an instant from her
own bed. She cannot sleep,
she tosses painfully, for her thoughts wander; she rises to gaze again –
“ How art thou, my child, how art thou? Are
those palpitations of thy heart less violent? Is thy pulse more gentle? But,
alas! She is faint, and she must go to her bed again, yet she can get no
rest. She will return again and again to watch the loved one. So,
methinks, Christ looked upon Peter, and James, and John, as much as to
say, “No, they are not all lost yet; there are three left;” and,
looking upon them as the type of all the Church, he seemed to say –
“No, no; I will overcome; I will get the mastery; I will struggle even
unto blood; I will pay the ransom-price and deliver my darling from their
foe.”
The
combat is so great and the temptation so dreadful that Jesus sweats great
drops of blood, not just tiny drops. Let us therefore note carefully the
immense power of Jesus' love for us.
He voluntarily went through all of this for us. In
his agony he did not put himself up first, but drove himself through
everything that was thrown on him, straining with all his strength.
No
wonder the writer in Scripture could say to us: “
Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.” Our
great Messiah and High Priest sweated even to blood rather than give room
to the great tempter Satan. He
did it all for us. This must have been dreadful for this pure, unspotted
Lamb of God. Verse
45. Jesus
return the third time, and the disciples, that is Peter, James and John,
were still sleeping. Jesus
then says “Sleep on now and take your rest…”.
This command to continue to sleep has been interpreted in a number
of ways. Gill
comments: The
Evangelist Mark adds, "it is enough", Mar_14:41; which has
induced some interpreters to think, that these words were spoken seriously
by Christ: though the sense cannot be that they had watched sufficiently,
and now might sleep, and take their rest, for they had not watched at all;
but rather, that he had now no need of them, or their watching with him;
the conflict was over for the present; or, as the Syriac version renders
it, "the end is come"; and so the Arabic; and to the same
purpose the Persic, "the matter is come to an end", or to an
extremity; the sense being the same with what is expressed in the
following clause, "the hour is at hand"; and shows, that the
words are to be understood in an ironical sense, sleep on and take your
rest, if you can: I have been exhorting you to watchfulness, but to no
purpose, you will be alarmed from another quarter; a band of soldiers is
just at hand to seize and carry me away, and now sleep if you can: that
this is the sense appears from the reason given, and from the exhortation
in the following verse, and the reason annexed to that:” It
would be indeed difficult to accept Jesus’ command to sleep, in any way
other than with irony, for he declares to them that this is his last hour
with them – the betrayer is coming and he will soon be led away by the
hands of sinners. This
actually would the last hour where they would have opportunity to speak
with Jesus before he endured the cross.
It is unimaginable that either Jesus or his closest companions
would spend their last hour together, sleeping. Verse 46.
“Rise let us be going…”
This Jesus says to arouse his disciples; it is not intended to
suggest that they should attempt to elude those who would soon arrive to
take him. Rather Jesus demonstrates the complete submission of his will
to the Father, by going out to meet his captors. (John 18:4) “My betrayer is at hand.” Though the end was near, Jesus would with every minute of his earthly ministry, continue to demonstrate his omniscience, using every moment as an opportunity to teach and secure the confidence of his followers. Jesus’ Betrayal and ArrestVerse 47.
Jesus knew precisely the movements of the one who would betray
him; his omniscience enables him to know the past present and future and
all things that are actual or possible. (John 18:4)
As he is telling Peter, James and John that his captors are at
hand, they then appear. Note that Jesus had by now been made strong by the Father, after his terrible struggle. He had achieved a real victory over Satan. We notice from this time
on, that Jesus had obviously prevailed in prayer, and his mind was totally
calm. He was at peace all through the rest of his bitter
experiences. The real conflict had
come. Satan had thrown all he
had at Christ, he had found nothing there for him. In all his struggle Jesus
had never questioned the wisdom of the Father, never blamed him, never
said his situation was unfair, and never slipped into unbelief. At all
times he put himself under the loving tender care of the Father, and he
was brought safely through. He rested on the Father for sustenance and he was made calm
and strong. The lesson for us is
therefore clear. When
temptation is strongest and greatest, and we are at our weakest, we must
lay hold on God in prayer. We will then prevail. Now we have Christ our
Great High Priest praying for us, that our faith will not fail.
In Christ we cannot fail. Judas, who was one of the
twelve, came leading a great multitude of people who were armed with
swords and clubs, and carrying torches to light the way. The powers of darkness
had been working feverishly, Judas at this time was already under the
control of Satan, for Satan had entered his heart; and all those
antagonistic to the cause of Christ were also under his control. It is an unfortunate
reality and an all too often occurrence, that godly men who aught to be
working for the Lord, are actually asleep, while the ungodly spare no
expense or energy to ensure that their evil plans come to pass. It has been estimated
that the crowd of people following Judas may have numbered as much as two
thousand people. This seems
an excessive number of people to apprehend one man.
Perhaps Judas who was acquainted with Jesus’ ability to simply
pass through the crowd and disappear, thought that it would literally take
many people to apprehend the Master.
It is also likely that many came as spectators willing to lend
whatever hand they could in the demise of Jesus One may also wonder where
so many people came from? It
was late at night on the eve of the Passover; instead of completing their
preparation for the Passover these wicked men were participating in the
most heinous murder in history. One writer comments: A
great multitude with swords and staves - John says that he had received a
band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees.” Josephus
says (Antiq. b. 20 chapter iv.) that at the festival of the Passover, when
a great multitude of people came to observe the feast, lest there should
be any disorder, a band of men was commanded to keep watch at the porches
of the temple, to repress a tumult if any should be excited. This band, or
guard, was at the disposal of the chief priests, Mat_27:65. It was
composed of Roman soldiers, and was stationed chiefly at the tower of
Antonia, at the northwest side of the temple. In addition to this, they
had constant guards stationed around the temple, composed of Levites. The
Roman soldiers were armed with “swords.” The other persons that went
out carried, probably, whatever was accessible as a weapon. These were the
persons sent by the priests to apprehend Jesus. Perhaps other desperate
men might have joined them. Staves
- In the original, “wood;” used here in the plural number. It means
rather “clubs” or “sticks” than spears. It does not mean
“staves.” Probably it means any weapon at hand, such as a mob could
conveniently collect. John says that they had “lanterns and torches.”
The Passover was celebrated at the “full moon;” but this night might
have been cloudy. The place to which they were going was also shaded with
trees, and lights, therefore, might be necessary.” We know that a large
number of Roman soldiers were present and probably responsible for the
actual arrest, they possessed swords, whereas the rest of the people are
said to come from the high priest and the elders of the people. These
people were religious Jews employed at Passover to keep the peace and
quell any uprising or disturbances during the festivities. They were at
the disposal of the high priest, who of course sanctioned their
participation. They however were not permitted to carry swords as they
were still considered somewhat antagonistic toward Romans. Sticks and clubs were the weapon on of choice for the
marauding mob. It is amazing how mortal enemies so easily collaborate in a joint effort to attack Christ and his followers. Verse 48.
Now Judas had promised them a sign by which they may correctly
identify Jesus. Though they had lanterns, it may still have been
considerably dark, thus to simply point out a person at a distance may
have proved difficult. In
addition to this, the disciples probably wore similar apparel which would
make it possible to confuse another disciple for Jesus. James being Jesus’ half
brother may have borne a great physical resemblance to Jesus, making a
positive identification still more difficult; and to complicate things
further, it is quite possible that some of the Roman soldiers had never
seen Jesus. Thus, Judas would have to
make a much closer inspection to correctly identify Jesus.
That Judas chose a kiss to be the sign seems to be the design of a
highly deceptive mind. It is
believed that it may have been the customary greeting after being absent
from the Master, and that by it Judas intentionally attempts to conceal
his involvement in the betrayal. Masquerading
as a disciple, his heart, mouth and actions were filled with the deceit of
his real master and father, Satan. “Whom ever I kiss, He is the One; seize Him.” Judas’ instruction here to seize Jesus, was an attempt to ensure that he did not escape; He knew that Jesus could with ease pass through the midst of them (Luke 4:30). Judas also wanted to ensure that the money he had received would not be taken back in the case that Jesus was not successfully apprehended (Luke 22:3-6). Even in the treacherous act of betrayal, all Judas could think about was his money. Verse 49.
Judas had put some distance between himself and the great
company of people, so as to convince the others that he was not a part of
the mob. His greeting and kiss conveyed the greatest affection for the
Master, and must have been somewhat prolonged, that the mob, some distance
behind him, would come and witness whom he kissed. “
Just as Joab asked Amasa of his health, and took him by the beard to kiss
him, and smote him under the fifth rib, (2Sa_20:9). The Syriac version
renders it, "peace, Rabbi"; and the Persic, "peace be upon
thee, Rabbi"; which was the very form of salutation the disciples of
the wise men gave to their Rabbis. In Mark 14:45, the word "Rabbi" is
repeated, this being usual in the salutation of the Jewish doctors; and
the rather used by Judas under a pretence of doing him the greater honour,
and of showing the highest respect, and strongest affection for him. So
this deceitful wretch still addresses him as his master, though he was now
serving his most implacable enemies; and wishes him all peace and joy,
when he was going to deliver him into the hands of those that sought his
life; and to cover all, kissed him, as a token of his friendship and the
sincerity of it.” Verse 50.
“But Jesus said to him, “Friend, why have you
come…”. It is extraordinary that Jesus would now call Judas
friend, but it was not out of ignorance nor was Jesus using irony – but
he called him friend simply because that is the way Judas presented
himself. Certainly if Judas
had had any conscience left, it would most certainly be burning him and
the voice of Jesus calling him friend. Jesus of course knew
Judas to be a devil from the beginning - “Jesus
answered them, Have I not chosen you, the Twelve? And one of you is a
devil?” (John 6:70). Yet Jesus treated him as he did any of the disciples. Jesus shows no malicious
contempt for the lost, for God has no pleasure in the death of a sinner.
The man who somehow got into the ‘marriage supper of the lamb’,
not having the right garment, though Jesus also addressed him as friend
– he was promptly bound, hand and foot and cast in to out darkness.
(Matt 22:12-13) Surely mercy is king this
side of eternity, but justice shall rule up yonder. Jesus asked Judas why
have you come? This was
not because Jesus didn’t already know, but was said to fill the mind of
Judas and compel him to think on the crime he was committing. “wherefore
art thou come? The Ethiopic version reads, "my friend, art thou not
come?" that is, art thou come as my friend? is thy coming as a
friend, or as an enemy? if as a friend, what means this company with
swords and staves? if as an enemy, why this salutation and kiss? or what
is thine end in coming at this time of night? what is thy business here?
thou hast left my company, and my disciples, what dost thou do here? The
Syriac version reads it, "to
that"; and the Arabic, "to this art thou come?" to kiss me,
and by a kiss to deliver me into the hands of my enemies? to which agrees
what is said in Luke, "Judas, betrayest thou the son of man with a
kiss?" Luke
22:48. This he said, to let him know he knew him, and therefore he calls
him by name; and that he knew his design in kissing him, and that what he
was doing was against light and knowledge; he, at the same time, knowing
that he was the son of man, the true Messiah,” Having
received the sign, they proceeded to apprehend ‘lay hands on him’,
but this they could not do until He had given them a demonstration of his
power. This very significant demonstration of power is only recorded in
John. Then
Jesus, knowing all things that were coming upon Him, went out and said to
them, Whom do you seek? They answered Him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus said
to them, I AM! And Judas who betrayed Him also stood with them. Then as
soon as He had said to them, I AM, they went backward and fell to the
ground. Then He asked them again, Whom do you seek? And they said, Jesus
of Nazareth. Jesus answered, I have told you that I AM. Therefore if you
seek Me, let these go away; (that the word might be fulfilled which He
spoke, "Of those whom You have given Me, I have lost not one of
them"). (John 18:4-9 MKJV) This
demonstration made clear two things.
Firstly, they had no power whatsoever to arrest him, but that he
allowed it, and that according to the will of God would lay down his life,
for none could take it from him. (John 10:17) Secondly,
that he would protect his disciples, forbidding them to be arrested,
though according to Scripture, they would for a time be scattered. (Matt
26:31) Verse 51-56.
Some of the disciple asked if they should strike with the sword?
Peter of course did not wait for a reply and swiftly removed the ear of
the high priest’s servant; though he was probably aiming for the neck. This was really Peter,
probably embarrassed by the fact that he had been sleeping away the time,
when he should have been praying, trying to show that he really loved
Jesus and would defend him to the death.
But he was probably disoriented and his blow was clumsy. This was not what Jesus
wanted, but it again afforded an opportunity to display his power.
He immediately healed the servants’ ear and rebuked Peter.
Jesus had spent the last few hours showing them his destiny – and
Peter’s action served only to subvert this.
And had it not been for the Jesus’ protection, Peter’s rash
action would certainly provoke the murderous mob to kill them then and
there. This Jesus could not
allow, for the disciple work had only just begun.
How great is God’s protection for his people. Thy
sword into his place - Into the sheath. For
all they that take the sword ... - This passage is capable of different
significations. 1.
They who resist by the sword the civil magistrate shall be punished; and
it is dangerous, therefore, to oppose those who come with the authority of
the civil ruler. 2.
These men, Jews and Romans, who have taken the sword against the innocent,
shall perish by the sword. God will take vengeance on them. 3.
However, the most satisfactory interpretation is that which regards it as
a caution to Peter. Peter was rash. Alone he had attacked the whole band.
Jesus told him that his unseasonable and imprudent defence might be the
occasion of his own destruction. In doing it he would endanger his life,
for they who took the sword perished by it. This was probably a proverb,
denoting that they who engaged in wars commonly perished there. Matt.
26:53 Thinkest
thou ... - Jesus says that not only would Peter endanger himself, but his
resistance implied a distrust of the protection of God, and was an
improper resistance of his will. If
it had been proper that they should be rescued, God could easily have
furnished far more efficient aid than that of Peter - a mighty host of
angels. Twelve
legions - A legion was a division of the Roman army amounting to more than
6,000 men. See the notes at Mat_8:29. The number “twelve” was
mentioned, perhaps, in reference to the number of his apostles and
himself. Judas being away, but eleven disciples remained. God could guard
him, and each disciple, with a legion of angels: that is, God could easily
protect him, if he should pray to him, and if it was his will. Then all the disciples forsook him and fled. CONCLUSIONDear brethren, lets us endeavour
to follow the perfect example of Christ.
Let us be persistent in prayer, asking God to remove our heavy
burdens, but submitting always to the will of God, acknowledging, should
our burden remain, that it is ultimately for the purpose of God, that he
may bring far greater glory to himself.
Let us not be as Judas,
treacherous in hypocrisy and deceitful in our profession of faith. “Do
not be deceived, God is not mocked. For whatever a man sows, that he also
will reap.” (Gal
6:7) When we endure times of
distress and sorrow, and when we feel emotionally, physically and
spiritually drained – remember that it is the joy of the Lord that is
our strength. Seek him
earnestly and constantly, for this is not the time for sleep. And when you fall into
temptation, remember that repentance precedes restoration -
“If we confess our
sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us
from all unrighteousness.” (1Jo
1:9) We
have a faithful high priest and it is he who paid the full price for our
sin. Praise God.
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