Jesus had much to impart to His disciples cum apostles in His last 'free' hours. He continued to speak of His Kingdom and their role in it; since they were on the subject, and hopefully they jockeyed for prestigious positions.
They wanted a special position in His Kingdom, in what they thought Jesus was going to set up that fateful Passover time. They were way off base but Jesus did tell them of future award. He told them He,
"...confers on [them] a kingdom, just as His Father had conferred one on [Him], and they would be able to eat and drink at [His] table in [His] kingdom and sit on twelve thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel" (Luke 22:29-30 NIV).
Because these eleven out of twelve apostles (minus Judas Iscariot) had stayed faithful to Him throughout His tenure of active ministry since He'd called them to "Follow, Me", this would be their reward. During the thousand year reign of Christ, in time to come, they would receive this authority. Furthermore, for the present, the Kingdom being set up at Jesus' death and resurrection was a spiritual one in which they would be key players at the outset. They would go forth into all the world and preach the gospel (Matthew 28).
Jesus instructed them further, and warned these "devoted" men. What a motley crew though, if you ask me, but then, I'm only Mary.
My last journal entry told of Satan's influences on people and events. No less here, and Jesus warned the disciples, especially Peter, that God had given Satan permission to test their faith. My, oh, my! I guess this is like what happened in more ancient times to Job.
Jesus knew Peter would deny Him. However, even though Satan's influence was active, Jesus said He'd pray for them and especially for Peter that his faith would not fail. I really love that. Such a caring, loving Man of God. Jesus' supplication included Peter's repentance and then went a step further; that when he had repented he would strengthen his brothers. What a wonderful focus and hope for Peter.
Peter impetuously threw it all out the window though. He did not know his own heart. Too much self-confidence of the wrong kind. He as yet, did not realize what he was capable of. He declared he was ready to go to prison with Jesus and to even die for Him! Such bold words.
I think it was with gentleness and compassion that Jesus then said, 'No, Peter, you truly will do it and what's more it would be that very night. He would deny he even knew Jesus, three times, and that, before the cock had crowed the heralding of day, twice.
That led into the subject of the near future and what to expect would unfold in them, and was the next topic of conversation. He warned that the days ahead were going to be very hostile. He said that when He had sent them out earlier that they were not to take extra cloaks, or money, etc. The places they went to had welcomed them and were hospitable. That would all be changed. They would need to bring the extra belongings along with them when they preached. This was prophecy and it was going to be fulfilled. He, Himself, was surely going to share the fate of a criminal death; what other type of treatment would they expect upon themselves then?
The eleven disciples, who I'll henceforth call, "apostles" cuz that's what they became, believe it or not, just could not comprehend this. The Kingdom of God they were thinking of was an earthly one that they still had in their minds and was what Jesus was imminently -- like before this Passion week was over -- going to set up. They still thought Jesus was going to overthrow the Roman rulers. In so doing, they believed people would still welcome them with open arms and victory cries -- like last Sunday of the triumphant entry of Jesus on donkey back. They did not comprehend ideas of rejection and hostility.
They were going to be rudely awakened to ways other wise, and in the very near future. The clock's pendulum bob counted down to the cataclysmic event which had been festering, and was about to be lanced into eruption.
From the Upper Room, Jesus led His apostles to the Mount of Olives to pray. He instructed the eleven (minus Judas I.) to pray so they would not enter into temptation.
Jesus went off at a distance to pray alone, and spend time communing with His Father. He prayed in great anguish and asked His Father to remove the "cup of suffering". However, He tempered that with "not My will but Yours be done". Jesus, Son of God, the ever humble, obedient and submissive One, now submits, still, in prayer.
This was "The Mission" Jesus had come to fulfill, ripened to point of fulfillment. He prayed therefore, in agony, so much so, that His sweat came out in drops of blood which fell to the ground. He knew He would go forward to that mission. The cup of suffering would not be removed from Him, yet His loving Heavenly Father sent Him an angel to strengthen Him.
He got up from His praying and went over to His apostles. They were sleeping. Oh heart, the palpitations again, my breath comes too fast as I remember the sequence of events as they told us about later. The spirit willing but the flesh weak. He wakes them and tells them again to pray so they wouldn't enter into temptation.
This had been a most severe and bewildering trial for them. They needed to pray for themselves but had slept instead.
I've learned that the rest of us need to do this too. When the troubled times come and swamp us like a tsunami, pray for yourselves. It's not selfish. It shows our dependence on God our heavenly Father; that we trust Him through it all. Jesus, Himself, has been our perfect example of this by His praying as He did on the mountain.
So what did the "cup of suffering" mean?
In English, a language that wasn't even begun to be spoken at this time, it is a figure of speech, a metaphor; for all Jesus would have to endure. What was He actually suffering?
God's wrath!
Gasp!
Why?
This was the punishment for my sins He would have to suffer. For me, and for all mankind from Adam to the present and for all those who should come. The judgment against human sin and rebellion. The consequences of sin which enumerate as suffering, death and an eternity in Hell; the full unmitigated heat of God's wrath to be paid, in full.
It was the punishment Jesus had to take from God, for me; for you; for all of us human beings!
This had been Jesus' mission all along. He had always set His face towards Jerusalem to fulfill, in obedience, to His Father (God's) will. This was the reason of God's purpose for sending Jesus coming to Earth, "in Person" to bring salvation to all mankind. His redemption plan.
This does not mean that Judas Iscariot or any of the others get off guiltless for their part in hastening Jesus to the cross.
However, God...
God always turns what Satan meant for harm and evil into something infinitely good. The result, that which was "hastened" was His divine purposed being fulfilled instead. God's sovereignty vs man's free will decisions struck again.
Take a wee time out from the sequence of unfolding events, as I want to tell you about the "sweat great drops of blood". This is a real but rare condition in some people but can also be produced when a person is under extreme stress and anguish. It is a condition called, "hematidrosis"; another English language, mouthful.
On that Mountain of Olives, the apostles were also under a great deal of stress and perplexity; not enough to produce this hematidrosis but of the type that makes one very sleepy, so it seems. Not to mention they'd had a filling Passover meal and it was rather late at night, perhaps, even very wee hours of morning.
One can't help wondering if they had been praying instead of sleeping, if they would not have been so tempted to fall into the temptation of fleeing and abandoning Jesus, and denying Him in the heat of the moments to come.
Jesus didn't scold them though. He just repeated His message to pray so they wouldn't fall into temptation. We should also pray that we don't fall into temptation too.
Jesus knows and understands us even now because although He is fully God, He is also fully man who has gone through temptations in life too. He prays for us as He did for Peter. We can call on Him and rely on Him. In this, I take heart. So can you.
Jesus got up from His prayers, collected the apostles just as Judas Iscariot appeared with the contingent of religious leaders, Temple guards (police) and some Roman soldiers trooping along behind. They had come to arrest Jesus after the kiss of betrayal would be administered.
There they all were. Tensions high. Peter slices off Malchius' ear. Jesus heals him and rebukes His followers. In this I believe was the message of forgiveness. Jesus forgiving His enemies. This is a good lesson to learn and repeat in our every day life.
It is significant to see who was in attendance in the arresting posse. I pinpoint the chief priest, the teachers of the law and the elders of the people. These are Sanhedrin members; those who I believe should have known better. They were the ones who should have recognized who Jesus truly was. They had all the prophecy of the Old Testament and knew much of it by heart and therefore had it at their fingertips. They either didn't or wouldn't admit the connection. So they brought their armed Temple guards and arrested Jesus.
Frankly, the powers of darkness were in operation. The Sanhedrin and Temple authorities, Satan's instruments through which the powers of evil acted at that time. Satan and his minions in operation, opposing and appeared to triumph over God's purposes and plan. It even appeared Satan had won there for a bit. Recall, though, that God can turn what Satan meant for harm, into something good and beautiful. Thus, Satan's triumph morphed quickly into his defeat.
Jesus conquered sin, death and hell for us by His death AND resurrection.
Praise His Holy Name!
So, Jesus was arrested and brought to the home of the High Priest, Caiaphas. This was not surprising as the High Priest was the head of the Sanhedrin and he was likely the driving force behind all this debacle.
It was now very early Friday morning. My heart beats too quickly, remembering all these memories and what was to come next. I must put my quill pen down now, and rest.
~ERC October 2020~
Based on Luke 22:28-38; 39-40; and 47-53.
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