Gethsemane - Your Final Exam
By Bob Schlenker (Prints about 13 pages) |
Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, "Sit here while I go over there and pray." 37 He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38 Then he said to them, "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me." 39 Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will." 40 Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. "Could you men not keep watch with me for one hour?" he asked Peter. 41 "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak." 42 He went away a second time and prayed, "My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done." 43 When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. 1 44 So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing. 45 Then he returned to the disciples and said to them, "Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour is near, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46 Rise, let us go! Here comes my betrayer!" Matthew 26:36-46I want to point out a technical feature of this passage. It is at the center of an introverted structure. The surrounding context points inward to it from either side, highlighting it as the focal section. Given the emotional intensity of Y'shua and the disciples as they sorrowed, that's not too surprising an observation, but since it's so emphatically brought to our attention as students of the deeper things we ought to make appropriate note of it. 2 The stage is set for high drama! There are very important lessons for us to be learned from what took place in the heart of that passage, friends!
My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command.Do you want to be Jesus' friend? Then, do what he commands. What did he command? Love each other as he loved us. He loved us with the greatest love, laying his life down for his friends. Are you paying attention? In the context, its not too difficult to see the implication that he laid his life down for those who do what he commands, Bride candidates.3Now, listen up. If the Lord is truly your friend, lay down your life for him. This is love that is real, genuine, sincere, and there is no greater. This is a lifestyle and also martyrdom. This passage is within the scope of the Gethsemane context, (as I will shortly discuss) teaching us vital truths in preparation for that most intensely emotional account's lesson.
And you also must testify, (martureo) for you have been with me from the beginning. 16:1 All this I have told you so that you will not go astray. 2 They will put you out of the synagogue; in fact, a time is coming when anyone who kills you will think he is offering a service to God. 3 They will do such things because they have not known the Father or me. 4 I have told you this, so that when the time comes you will remember that I warned you. I did not tell you this at first because I was with you.Did you notice that the word "kills" is used and not "persecutes"? Yes, martyrdom is the issue here. This is the martureo, the testimony that must be borne. It is related to the question, "Do you really love the Lord?" Although this test has been relevant to this present church since the time of Stephen's stoning in Acts 7, the particulars of the Gethsemane account reveal that there is a more specific application intended for an appointed time yet future at this writing.
Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. James 1:12The ultimate price paid purchases the highest reward. Its comforting, too, to know that James went through it as well as thousands of others. Their testimony is proof that the Lord comforts his people as they suffer. This is encouraging, but the encouragement necessary for you will come as you yourself endure suffering for His name's sake.
Event: |
Matthew 26 |
Mark 14 |
Luke 22 |
John |
Y'shua prays that Simon’s faith will not fail |
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31-32 |
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going to the Mount of Olives |
30 |
26 |
39* |
14:30-31 18:1* |
Y’shua prophesies that all will fall away on account of him |
31 |
27 |
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13:36 16:32 |
Peter denies that he will fall away |
32 |
29 |
*33 |
13:37* |
Prophecy of Peter disowning Y’shua three times before the rooster crows three times |
34 |
30 |
34 |
13:38 |
Peter and the other disciples deny that they will ever disown the Lord |
35 |
31 |
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Y’shua tells the disciples to pack their stuff and take some swords |
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35-38 |
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extensive dissertation and prayer - lots about love /obedience /unity, etc. |
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|
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14:1-17:26 |
going to Gethsemane, the olive grove |
36 |
32 |
39* |
18:1* |
Y’shua prays while disciples sleep |
36-46 |
32-42 |
40-46 |
|
Judas comes with the Roman soldiers, chief priests and Pharisees |
47 |
43 |
47 |
18:2-3 |
Y’shua and those who had come to arrest him speak. They draw back and fall to the ground when Y’shua says, "I am he." |
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18:4-9 |
Judas betrays Y’shua with a kiss |
48-50 |
44-45 |
47-48 |
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Y’shua is seized and arrested |
50 |
46 |
54* |
18:12 |
Simon Peter cuts off Malchus’ right ear |
51-54 |
47 |
49-51 |
18:10-11 |
"Am I leading a rebellion?" |
54-56 |
48-49 |
52-53 |
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The disciples flee and are scattered |
56 |
50 |
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The young man in the linen garment fled naked (when they seized Y’shua) |
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51-52 |
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Y’shua is led away |
57 |
53 |
54* |
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Another disciple known to the high priest and Peter followed at a distance |
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54 (only Peter is mentioned) |
54 (again, only Peter is mentioned) |
18:15 |
Y’shua being beaten and questioned |
57-68 |
55-65 |
63 ff |
18:13-27 |
Peter disowned him three times before the rooster crowed |
69-75 |
66-72 |
55-62 |
18:16-27 |
Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat; 32 but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” 33 And he said to Him, “Lord, with You I am ready to go both to prison and to death!” 34 And He said, “I say to you, Peter, the cock will not crow today until you have denied three times that you know Me. (NASB) - Luke 22:31-34This took place after the last supper on the 13th of Nisan and, while still prior to the crossing of the Kidron over unto the Mount of Olives, it is relevant within the context of what happens at Gethsemane. It is the Lord’s pronouncement of a coming test of faith, a test that would separate based upon the endurance of one’s faith.
"See, I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come,” says the LORD Almighty. 2 But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers’ soap: 3 And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness. 4 Then shall the offering of Judah and Jerusalem be pleasant unto the LORD, as in the days of old, and as in former years.Satan will do the sifting primarily via the agent who has been assigned to the task, who will be allowed to sift the church as he is also allowed to refine and purify the sons of Levi (See also II Thessalonians 2:9).
You are those who have stood by me in my trials. 29 And I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred one on me, 30 so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.I submit to you that the most valuable of the grain that is sifted, passing the trial of faith, qualifies to sit on thrones and rule over a kingdom, and will eat and drink at the Lord’s table in his kingdom. What an awesome privilege to be accounted worthy of such an honor… and what a price to be paid!
And he said to Him, “Lord, with You I am ready to go both to prison and to death!” (NASB) Luke 22:33Although you can find a similar statement made by Simon in other gospel accounts, this account in Luke is unique with regard to what our Lord said that prompted this reply. It is found here in Luke because it belongs here in this precise context. Based upon what Y’shua had just said about Satan’s desire to sift him like wheat and having prayed for him so that his faith would not fail, we might ask why Simon might assume that what he said had anything to do with readiness to go with his Lord to prison and to death. Up to this point in time, neither Simon Peter nor any of the other disciples had shown that they really understood about Y’shua having to suffer and die. The one called Hearing must have had insight, “hearing ears,” in order to be able to understand the relevant truth. You see, the Lord didn’t rebuke him and say, “whoa, where are you coming from with that crazy statement?” Consider an earlier exchange of words between Peter and the Lord Jesus with regard to the same theme to see his ignorance about Y'shua's fate and martyrdom at that time.
From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life. 22 Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!” 23 Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.” 24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. 26 What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? 27 For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done.Matthew 16:21-27While Peter didn’t yet have in mind the things of God at the time of the above, the way of martyrdom had surely entered his mind on the way to Gethsemane.
but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you,when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” (NASB) Luke 22:32As we know from the biblical account, (to be addressed in the next triple) the man Simon Peter was tempted to deny the Lord three times and his faith did indeed fail. This is a popular interpretation and a viable one, but what is its prophetic meaning? According to E.W. Bullinger, the Greek might better be read in the sense of, “When thou hast once turned again,” so the NASB rendering is quite good. There seem to be multiple levels of application here; for the Bride (the first "Simon" whose faith will not fail) and for the Rev: 7:9 saints. (the second "Simon" company whose faith will fail initially, causing them to be left behind at the theft of the Bride but who then will turn to declare Jesus before men.)
Daughters of kings are among your honored women; at your right hand is the royal bride in gold of Ophir.Though I believe the application for the Bride is in view here in Luke 22:32, the primary application of this interesting directive appears to be for the saints of Revelation 7:9-17. I have no doubt that when these sleeping sheep are left behind when the Bridegroom comes for his Bride, they will wake up and attend wholeheartedly to the task of strengthening or establishing their brothers. Isn't this the example Peter set having denied the Lord initially, failing to go to the cross with him but then rising up to serve with unfailijng faith? He strengthened his brothers in the Lord until the time appointed for his arrival at the cross, to which he willingly went.
10 Listen, O daughter, consider and give ear: Forget your people and your father's house. Psalm 45:9-10
Jesus answered, "I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me." Luke 22:34This triple continues the theme of a test of willingness to be martyred that was previously established in the tripled naming. Consider the various gospel accounts and the context where the prophecy about the denials is made. Here's a verse that immediately precedes and two that immediately follow it.
The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: "Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times." Luke 22:61
Luke 22:33: But he replied, "Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death."Is there any question that the denials came in the face of just such a threat as suffering and death?
Matthew 26:35: But Peter declared, "Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you." And all the other disciples said the same.
Mark 14:31: But Peter insisted emphatically, "Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you." And all the others said the same.
Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back--whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. Mark 13:35The phrase "when the rooster crows" is translated from the Greek word alektorophonia (Strong's #219. al-ek-tor-of-o-nee'-ah; from G220 and G5456; cock-crow, i.e. the third night-watch:--cockcrowing. ) and refers to the cock crowing watch - which is the third watch of the night. Note that it is clearly in the context of our Lord's return.
They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, "Sit here while I pray." 33 He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. 34 "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death," he said to them. "Stay here and keep watch." 35 Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. 36 "Abba, Father," he said, "everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will." 37 Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. "Simon," he said to Peter, "are you asleep? Could you not keep watch for one hour? 38 Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak." 39 Once more he went away and prayed the same thing. 40 When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. They did not know what to say to him. 41 Returning the third time, he said to them, "Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough! The hour has come. Look, the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 42 Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!" Mark 14:32-42The incredible stress felt by our Lord at this time has been attributed by most students to his concern about his upcoming beating and crucifixion, but I submit to you that he was rather more concerned about those who were with him. It was very important to our Lord that his disciples were where they were supposed to be and doing what they were supposed to be doing at this time. Was it out of concern for his own benefit and well-being that he asked them to watch and pray? Did he once ask them to pray for him in his personal hour of need? No, not once, though we might assume that if they had been paying attention they should have been interceding for him. Y'shua's concern was for their benefit, so that they would not fall into temptation. Our Lord was entreating His Father on his own behalf, but entreating his disciples on their behalf. Beyond being a matter of concern for merely those disciples who were present, his overwhelming sorrow must have expressed his feeling for the multiplied thousands whom he knew would eventually follow in his footsteps. His sorrow is said to have been "to the point of death," an expression used in the narrative not to add colorful drama to the presentation but to reveal truth. It speaks to me not only of the level of grief but also of his foreknowledge of the martyrdom which would both befall him and everyone who would take up his cross.
Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 35 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it.Continuing along this same line of teaching, we should understand the matter of the cup Jesus prayed about. At the time he prayed about the cup, we should note that he had just previously spoken of it at the last supper.
In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you. 21 But the hand of him who is going to betray me is with mine on the table. Luke 22:20-21The cup is the new covenant in his blood. The blood represents his life. (Leviticus 17:11) The cup contains and represents his blood which is poured out. The cup is mentioned in the account of the last supper, followed immediately by the mention of the betrayer, exactly like here at Gethsemane. The cup is further associated with Y'shua's death in I Corinthians 11:25-26.
In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me." 26 For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.So, the cup is Y'shua's cup, but others will also drink from it. This means that the lives of others would also be poured out as a willing sacrifice. Martyrs. He was speaking to the sons of Zebedee in Matthew 20:22 and 23, where we read:
..."Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?" "We can," they answered. 23 Jesus said to them, "You will indeed drink from my cup...And so they did, as history records.
They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, "Sit here while I pray." 33 He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. 34 "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death," he said to them. "Stay here and keep watch." 35 Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. Mark 14:32-35The church have some who follow after the pattern of our Lord, some after the pattern of Peter, James and John, and some after that of the other disciples. These divisions or companies might also be labeled according to the sequence of naming in the first triple I addressed; Simon, Simon and Peter companies. The first two names referring to the church-type man are Simon. These two companies are characterized as having "hearing" ears. These are first, the Bride, and then the saints of Rev. 7:9. They hear and obey, submitting to the Lord even unto following the way of the cross. The Peter company is comprised of the "insubstantial stone people," who never develop ears to hear and deny the Lord to save their own lives. They will never learn obedience. They are, in tabernacle terminology, the outer court Christians, furthest from the throne. The Bride is the most holy place company and the Rev. 7:9 saints, the holy place company. The first Simon company, the Bride, are the barley to be harvested at Pesah. The second Simon company are the wheat to be harvested at Shavuot. The Peter company will be as grapes harvested at Sukkot. Some believe that Matthew is a gospel that is most relevant for the Bride, Mark, for the Rev. 7:9 saints and Luke, the outer court Peter Christians. John's gospel, because John symbolizes the 144k Jews, would be most particularly for them.