PRESENTER: And now we go back to that fateful night in the Garden of Gethsemane.
Peter, can you tell our audience exactly what happened ?
PETER: After the Passover Meal. we left the house and went to the Mount of Olives. Jesus said again that he would be killed, and that we would run away and leave him. I immediately said I would never leave him. I was horrified when he said that I would deny I even knew him, not just once but three times before daybreak." I'll never say that even if I have to die with you!",I said and the others said the same. When we got to Gethsemane, the others stayed by the entrance to the garden, while Jesus took James, John and me with him. We walked further into the garden, then Jesus told us to wait while he went a short distance ahead to pray alone.
PRESENTER: Did Jesus often go off on his own to pray ?
PETER: Yes, if there was something weighing heavy on his mind or something important he had to do. This time he was obviously upset and asked us to keep watch.
PRESENTER: And could you hear anything of what he was saying ?
PETER: Just a snatch. He said "Father, if it's possible, take this cup of suffering from me. Yet, not what I want ,but what you want."....Next ,I heard he had come back and found the three of us asleep. "Simon!...",he always called me Simon when I had messed up."...can't you stay awake for just one hour? Keep watch and pray you won't be tempted You aren't always as strong in a crisis as you think you'll be." Then he went away again to pray. I heard him say again ,"Yet not what I want, but what you want. "When he returned - yes, we were all asleep, we couldn't keep our eyes open - we were so ashamed. The third time he came back and found us sleeping yet again. He said , "Enough! The Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinful men ! " While Jesus was still speaking, Judas arrived. But he wasn't alone. He had an armed crowd with him. Then Judas came forward and kissed Jesus. It must have been a signal .Next moment , Jesus was under arrest.
PRESENTER: How did you react?
PETER : I'm afraid I took out my sword and struck the nearest man to me. He was the High Priest's slave. I cut off his ear. Jesus was angry with me and healed the ear immediately. (LUKE 22:51) then he said, "Why come at this time of night with swords and clubs to arrest me as though I was an outlaw. Every day you have been with me as I taught in the Temple and you did not arrest me then. But the Scriptures must come true." I'm ashamed to say, we all ran away then - and left him.
PRESENTER: That's all we have time for this week. Peter will be with us again next week.
So don't miss the continuing chapter of "Jesus - Messiah Or Martyr."
Thank you and Goodnight.................................
....PAUSE
PAUSE FOR THOUGHT Groups of 3/4
The Scripture said the Shepherd would be killed and ALL the sheep scattered. As the Shepherd ,Jesus knew this was God's Plan. I want us to think and ask ourselves some questions .Remember this is one of those times where there are no right or wrong answers as such. It's important that you think for yourself and allow God to help you find the answers you need.
1. There are some people who think that because Jesus is divine (i.e. God). If so, then dying on the
Cross was no big deal. to him. .Why then did he say......"Take this cup from me".?
2. Jesus is often seen as the helpless victim, yet it seems in the Garden of Gethsemane he had to work
out whether or not to go through with God's plan.
Did Jesus have a choice?
3 Was Jesus human or divine at that point.? - Or both?
If he was human - what gave him the inner strength to go through with God 's plan?
If he was divine - why should he choose to die at all? Surely he could have saved himself at any time ?
Why do you think it would it be important for us today for Jesus to be both fully human and fully
divine ?
