The disciples slept on the ground while Jesus went a little way from them to pray. He was “exceeding sorrowful.” He knew the time had come to give Himself into the power of the men who were planning His death and to suffer from their cruelty. Far more than that, He was to suffer from God’s punishment for the sins of many. That was why the Lord Jesus prayed, “Take away this cup from Me.”
He did not mean a cup He could see, but to take the punishment of God against sin was called “taking the cup.” Yet He said, “Not My will, but Thine, be done” (Luke 22:4242Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. (Luke 22:42)).
Intimate Language
Jesus spoke in the language the disciples knew, and His first word, “Abba,” has been kept for us now to know. “Abba” meant Father. Just think of how the very word He used will always remind His people of His perfect obedience to God, His Father.
Before long, Judas came with a band of soldiers and many men sent by the priests, for he knew the place on the hillside where Jesus often went. The soldiers did not know Jesus, but Judas had told them that the man he would kiss (as was a custom for friends) would be the one to take captive.
Judas at once came to Jesus, calling Him “Master, Master!” and kissed Him. This was most wicked and deceitful. When the soldiers took hold of Jesus, one disciple who had a sword started to fight against them. Jesus could have prevented them from taking Him, but He did not resist. He said, “The scriptures must be fulfilled.”
Scripture Fulfilled
Jesus was the “Shepherd” that God would “smite,” and the disciples were as “sheep.” They fulfilled those words, for it says, “They all forsook Him, and fled.”
That was a very sad night for those men who loved Jesus; He had told them other words which would have comforted them, if they had remembered them, telling them where to meet Him after He would arise from among the dead (Mark 14:2828But after that I am risen, I will go before you into Galilee. (Mark 14:28)).
There was a young man who started to follow after Jesus, but he was not one of the disciples. He seems to have been roused that night from sleep and hurriedly wrapped a cloth or sheet about himself to come to the place. His name and his reason for coming are not told, but when the men tried to take him, he left his wrap in their hands and escaped.
Further Meditation
1. In a figurative sense, why did the soldiers need torches in the presence of the “light of life”?
2. What has the Lord given to comfort us in His absence?
3. For some very refreshing ministry on this part of the Lord’s life, consider reading The Evangelists by J. G. Bellett.