Jesus and His disciples were on their way to the Mount of Olives, “Then Jesus told them, “This very night you will all fall away on account of me, for it is written: “I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.” (Zechariah 13:7) But after I HAVE RISEN, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.” Peter replied, “Even if all fall away on account of you, I NEVER WILL.” (Matthew 26:31-33)
“Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “this very night, before the rooster crows, you will DISOWN ME THREE TIMES.” But Peter declared, “Even if I have to die with you, I WILL NEVER DISOWN YOU.” And all the other disciples SAID THE SAME.” (Matthew 26:34-35) When they realize how very cruel the Roman punishers are they will do whatever they can to avoid, for now, that torture
When they got to Mt. of Olives Jesus told them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” Then He said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch WITH ME.” Going 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 my will, BUT AS YOU WILL.” Then He returned to His disciples and FOUND THEM SLEEPING. “Couldn’t you men KEEP WATCH WITH ME for one hour?” (Matthew 26:38-40) Jesus went off two more times to plead with the Lord to keep Him from being in a position where God, His Father would have to TURN HIS BACK ON JESUS, Oh God, “Your eyes are TOO PURE to look on evil (sin); you cannot tolerate wrongdoing…” (Habakkuk 1:13) because “He Himself bore OUR SINS” IN HIS BODY on the cross, so that we might DIE TO SINS and live for righteousness; “by His wounds you have been healed.” (1 Peter 2:24)
“For we know that our old self WAS CRUCIFIED WITH HIM so that the body ruled by sin might be DONE AWAY WITH, that we should NO LONGER BE SLAVES TO SIN—“ (Romans 6:6) “So you (and me) also must consider ourselves DEAD TO SIN and alive to God in Christ Jesus. LET NOT SIN THEREFORE REIGN in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions.” (Romans 6:11-12)
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham