The Garden of Gethsemane
Matthew 26, Luke 22, Mark 14
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After the passover was finished, Jesus took his disciples and went to the mount of Olives to a garden called Gethsemane. Judas also knew of that place, because Jesus often went there with his disciples. When they got there, Jesus told his disciples to wait for him while he went to pray, and Jesus took Peter, James and John with him and Jesus was full of sorrow. Then Jesus told Peter James and John to stay and watch, and Jesus went on a little further and kneeled down, and prayed, saying "O my Father, if you are willing, take this cup away from me, but not my will, but yours, be done." Jesus knew that he would soon be going to the cross, but he knew that he must carry out the plan of God. And then an angel came to him from heaven, and strengthened him. And he prayed again, very deeply, and his sweat was like large drops of blood falling down to the ground.
And when he rose up from praying, he came back to the disciples and they were sleeping, so Jesus said to Peter "What, could you not watch with me one hour? rise and pray, or you may enter into temptation" Then he went away again and prayed the same thing, and when he came back, they were sleeping, for they were very tired. So Jesus went and prayed a third time, saying the same words. And when he came back, he said to the sleeping disciples "Sleep on and rest, the hour is here that the son of Man is betrayed to sinners. Rise, and let us be going, the person is here that betrays me." And while he spoke, Judas came and brought with him a great many people with swords, who were the chief priests and elders of the Jewish people. Jesus, knowing all things that would happen, went to them and said "Who are you looking for?" And they said "Jesus of Nazareth" and Jesus answered "I am he" and as soon as he said that, they fell to the ground.
Now Judas had told them that
whoever he would kiss, that person was Jesus, and they should take him and hold
him. And so Judas came to Jesus, and said "Hail master" and
kissed him. And Jesus said to him "Friend, why are you here? Do you betray
the Son of man with a kiss?" Then the people came and grabbed Jesus and
took him. But Peter drew his sword and cut off the ear of one of the high
priest's servants, but Jesus touched his ear and healed him, then he said
"Put away your sword, for all who take the sword shall die by the
sword. Don't you think that I could pray to my Father and he would give me
many, many angels? But how then could the scriptures be fulfilled?
This is the way it must be." And he said to the people come to take
him "All this is done so that the words of the prophets will be
fulfilled." Then all the disciples ran away. And Jesus was led
away to the high priest Caiaphas, where the elders were assembled.
But Peter followed him from a far distance.
Memory Verse: Luke 22:43 "And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him."
Questions:
1. What wonderful thing happened to Jesus while he was praying?
2. How did Judas betray Jesus?
3. How did Peter try to defend Jesus?
4. What did Jesus say to Peter when he cut the servant's ear off?
5. What did the disciples do when Jesus was taken?
Answers:
1. An angel came from heaven to strengthen him.
2. With a kiss
3. He took a sword and cut off the ear of the high priest's servant
4. He said that he could pray to his Father for many angels, but that the
scriptures must be fulfilled.
5. They all ran away.
Vicki C. Gross
