LONELINESS
The reading below is from Matt.26 v.36 – 68 – A time of great loneliness in suffering, a loneliness many of us might have known. From where did Jesus draw such strength? Are there key lessons that we might learn?
Gethsemane
Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”
Going a little further, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”
Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Could you men not keep watch with me for one hour?” He asked Peter, “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”
He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.”
When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing.
Then he returned to his disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour is near, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us go! Here comes my betrayer!”
Jesus Arrested
While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people. Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man, arrest him.” Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him.
Jesus replied, “Friend, do what you came for.”
Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him. With that, one of Jesus’ companions reached for his sword, drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.
“Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him, “For all who will draw the sword will die by the sword. Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he would at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? But, how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen this way?”
At that time Jesus said to the crowd, “Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I sat in the temple courts teaching, and you did not arrest me. But this has taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples deserted him and fled.
Before the Sanhedrin
Those who had arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas, the high priest, where the teachers of the law and the elders had assembled. But Peter followed him at a distance, right up to the courtyard of the high priest. He entered and sat down with the guards to see the outcome.
The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for false evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death. But they did not find any, though many false witnesses came forward.
Finally two came forward and declared, “This fellow said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.”
Then the high priest stood up and said to Jesus, “Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?” But Jesus remained silent.
The high priest said to him, “I charge you under oath by the living God. Tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.”
“Yes, it is as you say,” Jesus replied. “But I say to all of you: In the future you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming in the clouds of heaven.”
Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, “He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?”
“He is worthy of death,” they answered,
Then they spat in his face and struck him with their fists. Others slapped him and said, “Prophesy to us, Christ. Who hit you?”
The presence and power of God, the Father, in our loneliness.
In Gethsemane the Son of Man shared with Peter, James and John the pain of his suffering – “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” Sadly their eyes were too heavy. Alone, he prayed – “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” Three times these words – “My Father” – and – “Your will be done.”- were the focus of his prayer.
When we pray we desire a response either in action or words so the question remains – Did God, his Father, respond to those prayers of Jesus? There is a far deeper channel of communication along which love flows in both directions. The words “My Father” open that channel of love and the words “Thy will be done” add faith and hope to that two way flow of love.
In the absolute assurance of his Father’s love, when betrayed by a kiss and his followers rushed to his defence, Jesus was able to say “Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels.” And in the confidence of the faith and hope contained in that love and having said to his Father “Your will be done” Jesus continued – “How then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?”
In all that followed – his arrest – all the false accusations that were spoken against him – Jesus remained silent, strengthened by that flow of love, faith and hope. Then he was ordered under oath to answer to – “Tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.” – Bold in love, faith and hope, Jesus signed his own death warrant and said – Yes, it is as you say,” But then he continued with a resurrection promise – But I say to all of you: In the future you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”
When teaching a group of his disciples to pray Jesus gave to his followers – “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done.” When we enter that private room of our heart to pray in secret and, in humility and sincerity, say –”My Father” – are we opening that two way channel of love? When in faith and hope we say – “Your Kingdom come, your will be done,” does that enable the Holy Spirit to strengthen us in our time of trial? – – (ref. Rom.8 v.26/27)
Jesus said – “I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counsellor to be with you for ever – the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you,” Jn,14 v.15 – Do you know him?
