II. Jesus ANTICIPATES THE CONFUSION AND UNFAITHFULNESS OF HIS DISCIPLES. Sorely as this prospect must have distressed his heart, he was not by it to be deterred from his purpose. He foretold to his friends how they were about to act, that they might learn a lesson of their own frailty and dependence upon unseen aid. 1. Offence and scattering were foretold concerning all. This, as the record informs us, came to pass; for in the hour of his apprehension “they all forsook him, and fled.” 2, The denial of the foremost and the boldest of the twelve was also foretold. Peter loved Christ, had displayed a remarkable insight into Christ’s nature, and now professed, in the ardour of his attachment, a readiness to die for his Lord. It was as though nothing that could distress the Divine Saviour should be wanting to his sufferings and sacrifice; he consented even to be denied by the foremost of the select and beloved band. 3. Jesus knew the hearts of his disciples better than they knew their own. They vehe- mently asserted their attachment, their devotedness, their unswerving fidelity. But he knew the underlying nature which afforded at present no foundation for their resolu- tions and protestations. And he was evidently prepared for what actually happened; it did not take him by surprise. Only after his ascension, and the baptism with the Spirit, could the apostles withstand the onset of the foe, the rage of the persecutor.
Practica Lessons. 1. Learn the frailty and feebleness of human nature. 2. Learn the steadfastness anu the love of the Saviour. 38, Learn the necessity of dependence upon Divine grace to keep from falling.
Vers. 32—42.—Gethsemane. How pathetic is this scene! Here we are in the presen of the sorrow of the Son of man; and there is no sorrow like this sorrow.
ere we see Christ bearing our griefs, carrying our sorrows—a load beneath which even he almost sinks! It is not to us a spectacle merely of human anguish; we are deeply and personally interested in the agony of the Son of God. It was for our sake that the Father spared not his own Son. It was for our sake that Jesus, our High Priest, offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto God, and learned obedience by the things which he suffered. The last quiet evening of fellow- ship has been passed in the upper room at Jerusalem by Jesus and the twelve. The last. discourse—how full of encouragement and consolation!—has been delivered. The last, the most wonderful and precious, prayer has been offered by the Master for his disciples. Instead of returning, as on the earlier evenings of the week, to the seclusion of hospitable Bethany, the Jittie company proceed to a spot where Jesus was wont to retire, from the excitement of the city ministry, for meditation and for prayer. By the light of the Paschal moon they pass through the open gate, and, leaving the city walls behind them, descend into the valley of the Kedzon. Every heart is full of the sacred wor]s which have just been spoken, and silence falls upon the pensive group. On the slope of Olivet they halt at an enclosure, where aged olive trees cast a
OH. XIV 1—72.] THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. MARK. 243