Matthew 26:31-46
ON THE way to the mount of Olives the Lord warned His disciples that that night they would all forsake Him, for it is written in Zachariah 13, “I will smite the Shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad.” Nevertheless, after He was risen, He would go bore them into Galilee, the place where He had labored so much among the poor of His people.
Peter had not yet learned his lesson that he could not trust his own heart, for he said to the Lord, “Though all men shall be offended because of Thee, yet will I never be offended.” The other disciples expressed themselves likewise. But poor Peter had to learn through bitter experience that his love for the Saviour would never keep him, but only the Saviour’s love for him. The Lord told him, “this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny Me thrice.”
Then they arrived at the garden of Gethsemane where He left His other disciples and took with Him Peter, James and John, the same three who had been privileged to be with Him and to see His glory on the mount of transfiguration. They were now to be witnesses of His humiliation. He ban to be sorrowful and very heavy. “Then saith He unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with Me.”
Going a little farther He fell on His face in His earnestness and prayed, “O My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from Me: nevertheless not as I will, but as Thou wilt.” The Lord underwent the awful anticipation of the cross, what it would mean for Him who knew no sin to take upon His holy soul our load of sin, and to be made sin for us. He felt the awful pressure on His soul of death as the power of Satan. He was perfect in shrinking from such a judgment, and yet He was perfect in submitting to the Father’s will, for it was His will that His beloved Son should drink that cup. Surely our hearts ought to be bowed in worship and thanksgiving before Him who underwent all this agony for us, who took our place and bore the judgment that we deserved, that He might set us free to serve Him down here and to be with Him above forever!
“And He cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep.” They went to sleep on the mount of transfiguration, and they go to sleep here in the garden. Such we are. Nature, the flesh, appreciates neither the glory of Christ nor His humiliation. He “saith unto Peter, What could ye not watch with Me one hour? Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” The Lord sets the perfect example for them. He watched, and prayed, and entered not into temptation, though tempted as none other ever was.
“He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O, My Father, if this cup may not pass away from Me, except I drink it, Thy will be done.” When He came back He found the disciples asleep again. He went away the third time and prayed, saying the same words, and coming to His disciples He said, “Sleep on now, and take your rest.” The time of their watchfulness was now over. The hour of His betrayal had come, as the traitor drew near.
ML-02/24/1963