From Matthew 26:1-56....
Jesus had taught his disciples in parables about many things during this time in Jerusalem. He had been worshipped with an anointing by Mary (see An Alabaster Box, 3/23/13). With his arrest and crucifixion only hours away, Jesus was having a last supper with his disciples. Disciples who had walked with him, learned from him, experienced miracles with him, and were loved by him.
The time had come in Jerusalem for the Passover meal. Knowing that Jesus had no place of his own and preparation for the meal must be made by them, the disciples asked Jesus where they should prepare. He sent them to a man (Matthew 26:18) who gave them use of the upper room in his house. Jesus told the disciples to tell the man that "my time is at hand".
The preparation was made. Jesus sat down with the twelve disciples--yes Judas was there. Jesus told them, "One of you will betray me". Amazing that Jesus knew all things that would come, yet loved anyways. He had told them that he would be betrayed, now he told them that one of them would be the betrayer. Each began to fear it might be him, asking, "Lord is it I?" Even Judas asked, knowing full well it was he. When Jesus replied, "Thou hast said", conviction was upon Judas.
They ate bread signifying Christ's body. He had said, "I am the bread of life" (John 6:35).
They drank the cup of wine signifying Christ's blood. "For this is my blood of the New Testament"...
After the meal of remembrance, they left the house and went to the Mount of Olives where conversation continued. Peter, a big personality of a disciple, asked the Lord questions and told Jesus that he (Peter) would never be offended of him, that he would never deny his Christ. Jesus answered him and told him that before the "cock crowing" that Peter would deny him not once, not twice, but three times. Peter adamantly said that he would not. As for me, I am often a "Peter".
They then went to the garden in a place called Gethsemane. He took the eleven disciples (Judas had left) and left them outside the garden. Then he took Peter, James, and John with him into the corner of the garden and told them to wait while he prayed. Well, we all know how that went....they went to sleep while he prayed in anguish in the garden. As for me, I am often a sleepy disciple.
I have prayed a few times in my life "in anguish" and it's truly exhausting. I can't imagine the anguish of Jesus in the garden as he entreated his Father, "If it be possible, let this cup pass from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but as thou wilt."
After this, the guard, led by Judas came and took the Lord away and the long night continued.
Consider......
Jesus had taught his disciples in parables about many things during this time in Jerusalem. He had been worshipped with an anointing by Mary (see An Alabaster Box, 3/23/13). With his arrest and crucifixion only hours away, Jesus was having a last supper with his disciples. Disciples who had walked with him, learned from him, experienced miracles with him, and were loved by him.
The time had come in Jerusalem for the Passover meal. Knowing that Jesus had no place of his own and preparation for the meal must be made by them, the disciples asked Jesus where they should prepare. He sent them to a man (Matthew 26:18) who gave them use of the upper room in his house. Jesus told the disciples to tell the man that "my time is at hand".
The preparation was made. Jesus sat down with the twelve disciples--yes Judas was there. Jesus told them, "One of you will betray me". Amazing that Jesus knew all things that would come, yet loved anyways. He had told them that he would be betrayed, now he told them that one of them would be the betrayer. Each began to fear it might be him, asking, "Lord is it I?" Even Judas asked, knowing full well it was he. When Jesus replied, "Thou hast said", conviction was upon Judas.
They ate bread signifying Christ's body. He had said, "I am the bread of life" (John 6:35).
They drank the cup of wine signifying Christ's blood. "For this is my blood of the New Testament"...
After the meal of remembrance, they left the house and went to the Mount of Olives where conversation continued. Peter, a big personality of a disciple, asked the Lord questions and told Jesus that he (Peter) would never be offended of him, that he would never deny his Christ. Jesus answered him and told him that before the "cock crowing" that Peter would deny him not once, not twice, but three times. Peter adamantly said that he would not. As for me, I am often a "Peter".
They then went to the garden in a place called Gethsemane. He took the eleven disciples (Judas had left) and left them outside the garden. Then he took Peter, James, and John with him into the corner of the garden and told them to wait while he prayed. Well, we all know how that went....they went to sleep while he prayed in anguish in the garden. As for me, I am often a sleepy disciple.
I have prayed a few times in my life "in anguish" and it's truly exhausting. I can't imagine the anguish of Jesus in the garden as he entreated his Father, "If it be possible, let this cup pass from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but as thou wilt."
After this, the guard, led by Judas came and took the Lord away and the long night continued.
Consider......
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