Event 24 –Christ’s Agony in the Garden of Gethsemane
Matt 26:36-46; Mark 14:32-42; Luke 22:40-46; John 18:1
- Thursday, April 6, near Midnight
J When he had finished prayer, Jesus left with his disciples and crossed the Kidron Valley. On the other side there was an olive grove, K called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, “Sit here while M I go over there and pray.”
He K took Peter, James and John M the two sons of Zebedee alone with him, and he J went into it K and he began to be deeply distressed and M sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” L “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.”
K Going a little farther, L about a stone’s throw beyond them, K he fell M with his face K to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. “Abba, Father,” he said, “Everything is possible for you. L Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”
An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground. When he rose from prayer and went back to the disciples, he found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow.
K “Simon,” he said to Peter, “are you asleep?” M Could you men not keep watch with me for K one hour? Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”
Once more he went away and prayed the same thing. M “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.” K When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. They did not know what to say to him. M So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing.
Then he returned to his disciples K the third time M and K he said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough! The hour has come. Look the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!”