Our Lord’s steps are getting heavier, each time more difficult to pick up one foot and place it in front of the other. Listen to one author as we trace Jesus’ footsteps from the upper room where He celebrated the Passover to the garden of Gethsemane.
Garden of Gethsemane
Passing out by the gate north of the Temple, we descend into a lonely part of the valley of black Kidron, at that season swelled into a winter torrent. Crossing it, we turn somewhat to the left, where the road leads towards Olivet. Not many steps farther (beyond, and on the other side of the present Church of the Sepulchre of the Virgin) we turn aside from the road to the right, and reach what tradition has since earliest times—and probably correctly—pointhorn ted out as ‘Gethsemane,’ the ‘Oil-press.’ It was a small property enclosed (÷ùñßïí), ‘a garden’ in the Eastern sense, where probably, amidst a variety of fruit trees and
flowering shrubs, was a lowly, quiet summer-retreat, connected with, or near by, the ‘Olive-press.’ (Source: The Life and Times of Jesus, the Messiah, by Alfred Edersheim, Ph. D., D. D.)
As you can see, their walk to Gethsemane was not far in distance, but agonizing with each step leading to our Lord’s deliverance to the Evil One.
The Journey to the Garden (Matthew 26:36-46)
- How many disciples did Jesus leave behind while He went farther to pray?______
- At what other time, did Jesus take this “trio” with Him?
- As we read through our Lord’s prayer, answer the following questions:
- Object of the prayer ______________________________
- Subject of the prayer______________________________
- Go to Luke’s account – Luke 22;39ff. According to verse forty-three, who attended to Jesus’ needs? Can you name another time when the angels attended to Jesus’ needs?
- Which natures of Jesus are shown here in the prayer? His human nature? His Godly nature? Or both?
- Luke 22:44 describes Jesus’ physical condition following HIs prayer. How does Luke describe Jesus?
- Luke also tells us that Jesus’ prayer was in “earnest,” even more earnest than his previous prayers in the garden. Have you ever prayed in earnest? And if so, how did you feel physically?
- Our Lord never promises a “rose garden.” No! A servant is not greater than the Master, thus we too must take up our cross and follow Him. Go to 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 and read about St. Paul’s suffering.
- St. Paul was a special servant of the Almighty, for he had the opportunity of seeing thins in the heavenly realms that you and I have never seen. What do you think this “thorn in the flesh” was?
- To whom or what does St. Paul attribute this thorn in the flesh according to verse seven?
- What was God’s answer to his thorn dilemma? Does this verse apply to Christ on Maundy Thursday? Does it also apply to you and me? And what strength does this section give you to face life’s detours?
Compare Jesus’ attitude the first two times He returned to the sleeping trio to the third time. Do you notice a difference? Both Matthew and Mark are clear to show how resolutely Jesus was in fulfilling His mission set out before Him. Luke does not tell us that but does tell us something that Jesus told His disciples. Go to Luke 22:46. What was Jesus’ instruction? And warning?
The Garden Betrayal (Matthew 26:46ff; Mark 14:43ff; Luke 22:47ff; and John 18:1ff)
- John tells us that when Jesus said, “I am He,” most of them fell backwards to the ground. What do you suppose they were expecting?
- While all the gospel writers tell about Peter cutting off Malchus’ ear. How many writers tell about Jesus healing the ear?_____
- The disciples flee from Jesus once He is bound and carried off by the Jewish leaders. Examine the accounts.
- Matthew ____________________________________
- Mark ______________________________________
- Luke_______________________________________
- John_______________________________________
Luke told us that “Peter followed at a distance” as Jesus was being carried off by the Jewish leaders for trial. How close are you walking (with, behind) Jesus?