| Jesus' Betrayal |
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| After praying they walked out to the Mount of Olives. Jesus said to them, "Tonight your faith in me will be shaken. But after I am raised up I will go to Galilee ahead of you. Peter said, "Though all may have their faith shaken, mine will never be shaken!" "I give you my word, before the cock crows tonight, you will deny me three times." "Even though I have to die with you, I will never disown you." All the other disciples said the same. Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane. "Stay here while I pray." He took along Peter, Simon, and Andrew, and began to experiance sorrow and distress. He told them, "My heart is nearly broken with sadness. Remain here and stay away with me." He walked further and knelt down in prayer. "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass me. Still, let it be as you would have it, not as I." When he returned to his disciples, he found them asleep. "So you could not stay awake an hour with me? Be on guard and pray you may not undergo the test. The spirit is willing but nature is weak." He went off a second time and began to pray, "My Father, if this cannot pass without me drinking it, your will be done." Again, he returned and found them asleep, they couldn't keep their eyes open. He left again and for a third time began to pray. When he was done he returned to his disciples and said, "Sleep now. Enjoy your rest! The hour is here when the Son of Man is to be handed over to the power of evil men. Get up! Let us be on our way! See, my betrayer is here." While Jesus was saying this, Judas Iscariot walked up with a crowd of people behind him. The people were armed with swords and clubs. Judas arranged a signal with them, "The man I embrace is the one, take hold of him." Judas immediately went over to Jesus, embraced him, and said to him, "Peace, Rabbi." "Judas, you should betray the Son of Man with a kiss? Friend, do what you are here for!" At that moment, the crowd stepped forward to arrest him. Suddenly, one of the disciples drew his sword and cut off the high priest's ear. Jesus said, "Put back your sword. Those who use the sword are sooner or later destroyed by it. Do you not suppose I can call on my Father? But then the Scriptures would not be fulfilled." The disciples fled and the crowd apprehended Jesus and led him to Caiaphas, the high priest. |