IN company with His disciples, the Saviour
slowly made His way to the garden of Gethsemane. The Passover moon, broad and full, shone
from a cloudless sky. The city of pilgrims' tents was hushed into silence.
slowly made His way to the garden of Gethsemane. The Passover moon, broad and full, shone
from a cloudless sky. The city of pilgrims' tents was hushed into silence.
Jesus had been earnestly
conversing with His disciples and instructing them; but as He neared Gethsemane, He became
strangely silent. He had often visited this spot for meditation and prayer; but never with
a heart so full of sorrow as upon this night of His last agony. Throughout His life on
earth He had walked in the light of God's presence. When in conflict with men who were
inspired by the very spirit of Satan, He could say, "He that sent Me is with Me: the
Father hath not left Me alone; for I do always those things that please Him." John
8:29. But now He seemed to be shut out from the light of God's sustaining presence. Now He
was numbered with the transgressors. The guilt of fallen humanity He must bear. Upon Him
who knew no sin must be laid the iniquity of us all. So dreadful does sin appear to Him,
so great is the weight of guilt which He must bear, that He is tempted to fear it will
shut Him out forever from His Father's love. Feeling how terrible is the wrath of God
against transgression, He exclaims, "My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto
death."
conversing with His disciples and instructing them; but as He neared Gethsemane, He became
strangely silent. He had often visited this spot for meditation and prayer; but never with
a heart so full of sorrow as upon this night of His last agony. Throughout His life on
earth He had walked in the light of God's presence. When in conflict with men who were
inspired by the very spirit of Satan, He could say, "He that sent Me is with Me: the
Father hath not left Me alone; for I do always those things that please Him." John
8:29. But now He seemed to be shut out from the light of God's sustaining presence. Now He
was numbered with the transgressors. The guilt of fallen humanity He must bear. Upon Him
who knew no sin must be laid the iniquity of us all. So dreadful does sin appear to Him,
so great is the weight of guilt which He must bear, that He is tempted to fear it will
shut Him out forever from His Father's love. Feeling how terrible is the wrath of God
against transgression, He exclaims, "My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto
death."
As they approached the
garden, the disciples had marked the change that came over their Master. Never before had
they seen Him so utterly sad and silent. As He proceeded, this strange sadness deepened;
yet they dared not question Him as to the cause. His form swayed as if He were about to
fall. Upon reaching the garden, the disciples looked anxiously for His usual place of
retirement, that their Master might rest. Every step that He now took was with labored
effort. He groaned aloud, as if suffering under the pressure of a terrible burden. Twice
His companions supported Him, or He would have fallen to the earth.
garden, the disciples had marked the change that came over their Master. Never before had
they seen Him so utterly sad and silent. As He proceeded, this strange sadness deepened;
yet they dared not question Him as to the cause. His form swayed as if He were about to
fall. Upon reaching the garden, the disciples looked anxiously for His usual place of
retirement, that their Master might rest. Every step that He now took was with labored
effort. He groaned aloud, as if suffering under the pressure of a terrible burden. Twice
His companions supported Him, or He would have fallen to the earth.
Near the entrance to the
garden, Jesus left all but three of the disciples, bidding them pray for themselves and
for Him. With Peter, James, and John, He entered its secluded recesses. These three
disciples were Christ's closest companions. They had beheld His glory on the mount of
transfiguration; they had seen Moses and Elijah talking with Him; they had heard the voice
from heaven; now in His great struggle, Christ desired their presence near Him. Often they
had passed the night with Him in this retreat. On these occasions, after a season of
watching and prayer, they would sleep undisturbed at a little distance from their Master,
until He awoke them in the morning to go forth anew to labor. But now He desired them to
spend the night with Him in prayer. Yet He could not bear that even they should witness
the agony He was to endure.
garden, Jesus left all but three of the disciples, bidding them pray for themselves and
for Him. With Peter, James, and John, He entered its secluded recesses. These three
disciples were Christ's closest companions. They had beheld His glory on the mount of
transfiguration; they had seen Moses and Elijah talking with Him; they had heard the voice
from heaven; now in His great struggle, Christ desired their presence near Him. Often they
had passed the night with Him in this retreat. On these occasions, after a season of
watching and prayer, they would sleep undisturbed at a little distance from their Master,
until He awoke them in the morning to go forth anew to labor. But now He desired them to
spend the night with Him in prayer. Yet He could not bear that even they should witness
the agony He was to endure.
"Tarry ye here," He
said, "and watch with Me."
said, "and watch with Me."
He went a little distance
from them--not so far but that they could both see and hear Him--and fell prostrate upon
the ground. He felt that by sin He was being separated from His Father. The gulf was so
broad, so black, so deep, that His
from them--not so far but that they could both see and hear Him--and fell prostrate upon
the ground. He felt that by sin He was being separated from His Father. The gulf was so
broad, so black, so deep, that His
