Thick darkness came upon the world and upon Jesus the Righteous. The wrath of God grew thicker on him who took away our sins, and the hosts of evil swooped on the souls of his followers. Jesus went to the garden of Gethsemane, outside the city, which contained an olive press. There it pleased the Lord to bruise him, and crush him, that fresh oil might flow to all believers from him, that we might partake of the root and fatness of that good Olive. There he trod the winepress of his Father’s wrath, and trod it alone.
Jesus trembled. He became sorrowful, and deeply distressed. The sorrow in his heart was so great that it almost crushed him. No man can explain this fear except him who loves him and feels with him. Such a person is able to explain this stage of Jesus’ life slightly and carefully.
The Son of God feared neither death, nor Satan, for he had already wrestled with these wicked powers and overcome them in his body obtaining victory over them several times.
However, when he had humbled himself and took away the sin of the world in his love, his holy, just Father hid his face from him, made him a scapegoat bearing the sins of all men, and punished him in our place.
Jesus trembled greatly because of his separation from his Father during the judgment of the world, which was poured on his person. Christ’s body and human soul opposed his drinking the bitter cup of the wrath of God, which was prepared for men as a punishment for their sins.
The Son prayed the prayer of help that his Father might save him from the fearful hour if there were any other possibility of the world’s salvation. With trembling and worshipping, he strived for the redemption of the universe, seeking another way, if possible, without a response from his Father. In spite of this hope, he became broken, denied himself completely, appealing to carry out his Father’s will in the first place, and prepared himself for drinking the cup of God’s wrath. This terrible struggle teaches us that there is no other way to redeem the world except through the cross.
Jesus came to his disciples that they might support and encourage him with their prayers. Yet, peter who had insisted, only few minutes ago, on helping Christ by all means, fell asleep under the influence of the authority of darkness. No man can overcome the devils and their power by himself, for the Spirit of God alone can protect the believers and grant them victory.
He who relies on himself will see that darkness puts us to sleep at the critical juncture. The struggle is rendered powerless from the very beginning. By his own experiences, Jesus warned us that we must watch in the power of the Holy Spirit, penetrate deeply into the Holy Bible, and pray continuously, for the study of the Bible strengthens our minds that we may be able to discern the evil spirits and their several ways. With prayers, we overcome the temptations of Satan the deceiver.
Yet, he who does not read the Gospel carefully, and does not pray persistently will certainly fall into temptation. Though man is willing to serve God, but the flesh is weak. We are all in need of the power of God that his Spirit may strengthen our spirit and lead us to victory. Do not neglect the fact that the matters of faith and the coming to God are wrestling with spirits. The Spirit of God alone can inspire you and strengthen your spirit that you may overcome the lusts of your flesh, and the foolishness of your spirit.
All the disciples were asleep in that spiritual wrestling, though Christ had commanded them to keep awake. This experience clarifies to us that no man can reconcile the world to God, and that no one can prevail over Satan except Jesus who continuously kept awake and prayed, though all his companions fell asleep. What a great comfort is Jesus’ watchfulness, for now he is not asleep in heaven, but is watchful day and night interceding for us, though we are all asleep and weak! His faithfulness overcomes our unfaithfulness, and his strength is made perfect in our weakness.
What a great loss it was that men were asleep in the beginning of the critical juncture, which Jesus had repeatedly foretold! Heaven and earth had waited this moment. It appears that all Jesus’ teaching did not help the disciples, for the Holy Spirit had not yet dwelt in them.
“It is enough!” Jesus said when his disciples failed in the divine exam. Finally, Jesus said to his disciples: “Behold!” that they might open their eyes to see the strange event before them. Wherever we read the word “behold” in the Bible, we have to open our eyes and be watchful. What was the important thing at that moment? It was Jesus Christ’s submission to his Father’s will, letting himself be chained violently by the sinners. The Creator himself gave himself up to the hands of his sinful creatures.
Anyhow, he awakened his sleeping disciples before this event that they might flee, and said to them: “Behold, the traitor has come to reward my faithfulness with his treachery. I redeem him, and he hates me. I pray for him, and he refuses me, destroying himself by himself.”
What about you dear brother? Would you sleep, or would you hear Jesus’ words carefully, watchfully, and prayerfully?