Throughout the night before Jesus was arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane must have been a very trying and taxing emotional time for him. Earlier that evening when he and the disciples observed the Passover and Christ implement what we call “the Lord’s Supper” it started off badly. His heart must have been in a constant state of sadness and disappointment. Imagine what was going on in his mind when he told Judas to leave to do what he planned. During that time Jesus shared with the disciples how troubled he was that one of them would betray him. The disciples did not seem to have any concern for the struggles Jesus was experiencing.
They asked if one of them was the person who would be the betrayer. Then immediately they began to argue about themselves who would be greatest in the kingdom. Jesus had earlier asked John and Peter to prepare the upper room for their gathering. This made them the hosts. After the meal and after Judas left, Jesus washed the feet of the disciples. It was customary at such a meal since their feet were dusty from walking to the upper room. The two disciples who were supposed to be hosts neglected to perform this ritual leaving Jesus to do the task.
We should take note that none of the disciples offered to wash the feet of Christ. What an insensitive moment that must’ve been as they ignored Jesus’ needs. Peter argued with Jesus for him not to wash his feet, but Christ said it was necessary because without it he would have no part with him thereafter. Peter reluctantly agreed continuing the turmoil that was an undercurrent during the gathering. After Jesus foretold that Peter would deny him, the Bible says, “he spoke more vehemently, if I should die with you, I will not deny you in any wise. Likewise, so said all the disciples.” (Mark 14:31) Catch that word vehemently. How that must’ve stabbed into the heart of Christ.
They left the upper room to walk toward the Garden of Gethsemane. During their walk Jesus prayed as reported in chapter 17. At the garden Jesus asked Peter, James, and John to go further with him to watch with him. Jesus shared the depths of his emotions with those three men by saying that his soul was exceedingly sorrowful even unto death. He went further into the garden to pray privately asking the Heavenly Father if there was any way to avoid his crucifixion but immediately submitted saying that God’s will be done.
Try to get the emotional struggles Jesus was experiencing all through the evening. The first time Jesus left them, he warned them that they should themselves be in prayer, so they do not enter into temptation. Instead, each of those three times when Jesus returned to the disciples, they were asleep. Realize his disappointment and feeling of abandonment because of their sleepiness.
When Judas came with men who carried swords and staves, Peter tried to show off by severing the ear of a servant with a sword. As he was bound and led away, only John stayed close to Jesus. As Jesus was taken, the rest of the disciples scattered for fear of them being arrested. Peter followed from a distance and denied Christ that he never knew him. The sadness that must’ve been on the face of Jesus when he looked at Peter. The look was so profound that Peter left the area weeping bitterly.
It is important for us to try to grasp the deep emotions, heartache, sadness, sense of rejection by his disciples that Jesus experienced. We cannot gloss over a detailed account of what Christ experienced in the early hours of the Passover to his arrest in the garden. He suffered immensely before he was ever mocked, beaten, spit upon, had the crown of thorns pressed into the skull, and had nails driven into his flesh. This was just the beginning of what our Lord and Savior did for us!
Christian Writer 