0738. The Nigh Death in Gethsemane

The Nigh Death in Gethsemane

"My soul is exceeding sorrowful even unto death" (Mat_26:38).

1. Satan Gathers His Forces. What could not be quickly done could, perhaps, be consummated by long prepared and perfect strategy. Satan had strong vassals to his aid. The scribes and Pharisees were helpers of his cause. Christ once had said of them: "Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do" (Joh_8:44).

2. The Supper Scene. Jesus knew, as He sat with the disciples in the upper room, that the hour had come for the Son of Man to be delivered into the hands of sinners. He was conscious of every detail of the anguish that awaited Him. He spoke freely of His death. He called the broken bread, His body; He called the "cup," His Blood. He told Judas, "What thou doest, do quickly." He spoke to them wonderful words about His going away to be with the Father, and of His coming again. All of John 14, John 15, John 16, and the prayer in John 17, was spoken in the "upper room" on the eve of His death.

3. The Garden Scene. After the Supper, they went out. Christ took with Him three of His disciples and sought Gethsemane. Leaving the three to watch, He went a stone’s throw beyond, and prayed.

It was during the third hour of His prayer that satan seemed to press Christ most sore. Christ’s anguish was so great that great drops of blood stood forth upon His forehead. He felt His strength was giving way; He felt that He was nearing a collapse; then He prayed, "Father, let this cup pass from Me."

We would not be dogmatic, and yet it seems to us, particularly in view of Heb_5:7, that Christ must have feared a premature physical death. "He was heard in that He feared." At least, the angels came and strengthened Him. Revived and strengthened He arose and went forth to deliver Himself into the hands of those who sought Him, and who, even then, were entering the precincts of the Garden.

Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR