Last updated on November 1, 2024
A lot has happened in the last few hours. Jesus has shared a final meal with his friends. He’s then shared some of his most important final teachings them. And then he’s communed with his Father through prayer.
He now invites Peter, James and John to sit with him while he continues to pray. It’s such an honor to be invited into this time. He’s vulnerable with them, sharing that, “my soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death” (Mark 14:34). Jesus is determined to complete the task, but he’s scared. And he wants his friends to be with him.
He prays such an honest prayer to God: “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will but yours be done” (Luke 22:42). I admit that I don’t know for sure how to take this. I think it definitely shows his humanity though. When he finishes praying he looks over and sees that his three friends had fallen asleep. It says that they were exhausted from sorrow. It still hurts Jesus. He feels alone. This happens two more times.
At that moment Judas, along with a group of religious rulers and soldiers, entered the garden and approached Jesus. Judas came to Jesus and kissed him. This was the sign to the soldiers. They prepared to arrest him. Peter attacked, chopping off the ear of a soldier. Jesus immediately scolded Peter and healed the man.
And then Jesus was arrested. Over the next few hours he stood trial before various rulers. He was beaten over and over again. Peter was asked three times if he was a part of Jesus’ cohort. Three times he said no. The rooster crowed just as Jesus had said, and Peter wept. He was wrecked, but perhaps not as much as Judas was. His despair was so great that he committed suicide, leaving the thirty coins under where he hanged.