KNOWING GOD – THE GOD OF LOVE || Lesson 26 

KNOWING GOD – THE GOD OF LOVE

[With Reference to the Events Concerning Jesus’ “Passion,” note how Jesus’ love is amazingly displayed throughout and therefore ‘stand in awe of God, the Most High.’]

Lesson Twenty-six

At Gethsemane – Matthew 26:36-46 (Mark 14:32-42; Luke 22:39-46; John 18:1)

Matthew 26:36-46 – ³⁶Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” ³⁷He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. ³⁸Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”

³⁹Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”

⁴⁰Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Could you men not keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. ⁴¹“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”

⁴²He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.”

⁴³When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. ⁴⁴So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing.

⁴⁵Then he returned to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour is near, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. ⁴⁶Rise, let us go! Here comes my betrayer!”

V.36 – Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane – Re getting to Gethsemane, note John 18:1 – When he had finished praying, Jesus left with his disciples and crossed the Kidron Valley. On the other side there was an olive grove, and he and his disciples went into it.

Definition of Kidron: (Universal Subject Guide to the Bible) – “dark, turbid.”

Regarding the state of the Kidron brook at that time, note John 18:1 – (AMP) HAVING SAID these things, Jesus went out with His disciples beyond (across) the winter torrent of the Kidron [in the ravine]. There was a garden there, which He and His disciples entered.

Other mention of the Kidron – (Old Testament): (a) 2 Samuel 15:23 – The whole countryside wept aloud as all the people passed by. The king also crossed the Kidron Valley, and all the people moved on toward the desert.

This was when King David was in the process of escaping from his son, Absalom, who had conspired against him.  In comparison, in John 18:1, the King of kings crossed the Kidron Valley on His way to Gethsemane, where He would be betrayed by His disciple, Judas.

(b) 1 Kings 2:36-37 – ³⁶Then the king sent for Shimei and said to him, “Build yourself a house in Jerusalem and live there, but do not go anywhere else. ³⁷The day you leave and cross the Kidron Valley, you can be sure you will die; your blood will be on your own head.”

© See 1 Kings 2:8-9, 36-46.

Gethsemane = Olive press.  It was situated on the Mount of Olives. Note Luke 22:39 – Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him.

And he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.”  Luke’s account: Luke 22:40 – On reaching the place, he said to them, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.”

V.37 – the two sons of Zebedee – Mark 14:33 – He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled.

V.39 – Going a little farther – Luke 22:41 – He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed,

About a stone’s throw – The Easy-to-Read New Testament: “about 50 yards.”

He fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”  Mark’s account:  Mark 14:35-36 – ³⁵Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. ³⁶“Abba, Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.”

V.40-43 – Mark adds:  Mark 14:40 – When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. They did not know what to say to him.

V.44 – Luke adds: Luke 22:43-44 – ⁴³An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. ⁴⁴And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.

General Application: 1 Peter 5:8-11 – ⁸Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. ⁹Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

¹⁰And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. ¹¹To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.