Vers. 39-53.-Gethscmane. After the Passover and the address crivon in John xiv. he. icd the disciples out through tl)e vineyards, _where most lik~ly John xv. wa~ dehl'ercd to them, and John xvi., until he reached Ins usual rendezvous in Gethsemane 1•art of t!:e Mount of Oli~es. ~ere Jct us suppose the high~priestly prayer given i~ Juhn Xl'll. touk place, which bcmg ended, he retired to an adjacent and secluded place for lL~rther 1,ray~r. Gethsemane was thus his preparation for suffering and death, as the 'l ransfigurauon bad been for work. And here we have to notice- .I. H,s DHEAD OF THE DRNOU!i:Ml>N'r \VAS NO'r A DllEAD OF PHYSICAL PAm AND DRATH. li1s cry for esct\pe, if possible, was not prompted hy physical fear. He always showed himself brave before danger of a mere physical kind. Socrates seems the braver man before he drank the hemlock, but this was because Socrates could not see the issues that were before him as Christ foresaw his fate. The cup he shrank from was not like that of Socrates. It was no literal cup, but the apprehension of isolation from his Father. Not the trial, nor the mockery, nor the physical pain, but the isolation from God, the sense of forsakenness, the constraint to cry," My God, my God why hast t-hou forsaken me 1" which prompted the cry to escape. Now, the very ;levation of his beiug rendered the dread of separation even for the shortest season from his Father iutcnsely paiufuL Vulgar souls can take separation from others quietly, but the elect souls pass through deepest pains in consequence. That darkness which came 0n when Sou was separated from Father because of the sin-bearing was what Jesus dreaded, and would g1adly have escaped. Want of fellowship with the Father seemed to this holy Child Jesus something to be escaped if at all possible. II. THE INTENSITY AND EFFICACY OF ms PRAYER. Just as Jacob had to wrestle at Peniel to obtain the blessing, so had the Saviour in the garden. He was in an agony of earnestness, and was in consequence bathed in a bloody sweat. Time after time he prayed thus earnestly. And we are expressly told," Ho was heard in that he fearerl '' (J:ldi. ':', 7). His prayer was efficacious. Non·, let us consider what he prayed for. It was for deliverance from isolation from God-deliverance from death wilhout a sense of the Divine fellowship. And when we consider the sequel, we find that he was beard, anJ. his 11rnycr answered. For (1) he enjoyed an angelic visit and was strengthened by it (ver. 43); (2) he was granted light and fellowship with the Father before death supervened; and (3) he was saved from death b_y resurrection. In these ways the Father undoubtedly heard and answered the cry of Christ in Gethsemane. Ill. ]';0T1CE THE DISCIPLES' SLEEP OF sonnow. For sorrow often induces sleep, while at other times it makes sleep impossible. In the present case the disciples ought to have been praying for Jesus, for themselves, seeking preparation for the trial ho had fortwarncd them was at hand. Instead of doing so they slept. Here we have to notice: 1. Opportunity for showing spiritual sympathy was missed. Jesus, as we know, was motit anxious they should watch with him. He needed and he sought their sympathy; but they, in thoughtlessness, denied it to him. It would be well if deepest consideration were exhibited for noble souls that are greatly tried. 2. Opportunity for prfrate preparation was missed. They themselves neerled spiritual help more thau Christ. '!'hey could less afford than he to meet the crisis prayerlessly. Yet this was their condition when the trial fell upon them. 3. Physical effort was their only resource when the crisis came. They could lay on with the sword. It does not take much prayer to help men to fight. But other and better weapons were needed than Peter's sword, but they could only be taken out of the armoury by prayer. l V. 'l'IIE BETllA y AL. Judas and his band were upon them before the sleepy dis- ciples Lad time to pray. He had planned the capture as only a coward can. He b~trays Christ with the semblance of friendship, trying to give the Master the usual ki~s. To this offer Jesus simply replies, "Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss?" Force behiud deceit is apparently overpowering the spirituality which had its borne in that place of prayer. . . V. THE DEFE!-CE OF THE D18CIPLEB AND TliE MIRACLE OF TUE MASTER, The d1sc1r1les, &piritually off guard, betake themselves to the carnal weapon, and Peter lars round hi1n with the sword. He succeeds in cutting off the right ear of the high priest's servant. Here is fresh trouble created. If this servant has to go back thus wounded, a warrant will &0on be out for the di.Fciples, and the whole issuo thrown into perplexity. Our Lord accordingly interposes, heals the sufferer's ear, and advisc11 Petor to put up his on. nn.1-71.] TH:tl: GOSPEL .t\.CCOnDING TO ST. LUKE. 233
sword. Jn this way Jesus rescues the disciples from the liability incurred throu;(h their own imprudence. It wns a wonderful consideration mauifested ,vhen hi~ owu troubles were rising to their height. VI. 'l'HE IlEDUKE ADlllNISTERED '1'0 HIS ENEMIES, Why had they come out against him ns ago.inst a thief? Had he not confronted them tirne artcr time in open d«y? 'l'hcy had not dared to Jay hands upou him then. He thu3 couvictcd them of cowardice. It was" their hour, o.nd the power of darkness." A deed of darkness dive not bo done in open day. 'l'hus was It that our Lord bravely met his adversaries. l:fo was prepared, though the disciples were not.-R. M. E.