It had been the most disturbing evening of his life.
Jesus thinks back on the Passover meal he had just shared with his Apostles. He had washed their feet, the task of a servant, something none of them had understood how they should have done this for each other and for him. He shared some final thoughts on the love of God and how they were to move forward without him, even though they didn’t fully understand. He broke the loaf to show what would happen to his own body. He poured the wine to represent his blood that would soon be spilled as the greatest expression of love.
They understood very little. Then, showing his resignation to what would have to happen, he told Judas to do what he had promised the authorities.
Jesus was already heartbroken. Now, in the garden he is alone. His three closest Apostles are a stone’s throw away, whom he had brought with him for moral support. But it was late. They had finished a large meal. And they couldn’t possibly understand the significance of what was about to happen. All three drifted to sleep.
Alone, in more ways than one.
He knows what has to happen. He has to become the perfect blood sacrifice to pay for all sin, even though he himself is sinless. He knows there’s so much more he could do to prepare the Apostles to launch his Church. He knows the excruciating pain he will experience while being tortured, and then nailed to a used blood-stained splintered cross. He knows his mother will watch him die.
No one else has ever faced this. He is alone.
He kneels. Three times he prays that he could skip this horrible burden. Three times he acknowledges he knows it has to be.
He had told the three Apostles that the spirit can be willing but the flesh will be weak. He knew that for himself, knowing what must be done, yet dreading what it will take.
Yet the warning wasn’t just for him alone. He knew that they had good intentions. But their loyalty would soon be put to the test. Peter had sworn he would never deny him, although Jesus knew he would do exactly that. They would give in to the temptation to save themselves, without looking far enough down the road.
Alone.
Troubled. Anguished. Overwhelmed with sorrow.
Alone.
An angel comes to comfort him. Yet only he must face what is coming.
Helped, but still alone.
He wakes Peter, James and John. The mob is on its way.
In the most twisted of ironies, Judas gives him a kiss. All those there that night except Peter, James and John know what this means.
Jesus is seized and hauled away. Surrounded by that mob, yet alone.
He knows the horrors he will face throughout the night and into the next day. He knows he must go through with it. He knows his role in the Master Plan. And he knows deep down that although he feels alone, God the Father walks with him and will never abandon him. [Psalm 22]
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Based on Matthew 26:36-46, Luke 22:40-46
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Dave Soucie lives, serves and writes in Indianapolis.
Copyright © 2024 by Dave Soucie. All rights reserved [but permission is granted for non-commercial use only, with proper citation and by informing the author].
Dave Soucie 