AGONY AND ARREST IN THE GARDEN

A WALK TO THE CROSS WITH CHRIST

Agony and Arrest in Gethsemane

Pastor Jerry Jackson

03.15.15

OUTLINE

JESUS CAME TO DIE, SO THAT WE MIGHT LIVE

AGONY IN THE GARDEN

THURDSAY, 11:30PM TO 1:00AM

Matthew 26:36; Mark 14:32; Luke 22:40; John 18:1

Then Jesus went with his disciples across the Kidron Valley to a garden called Gethsemane. When they had entered the place, he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.”

JESUS SUFFERED ALMOST UNBEARABLE EMOTIONAL ANGUISH IN THE GARDEN OF GETHSEMANE

Matthew 26:37-38; Mark 14:33-34; Luke 22:40

He took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, James and John, and began to be deeply grieved, with great distress and agony. Then He said to them, “My soul is extremely sorrowful, even to the point of death. Stay here and watch with me. Pray that you may not be tempted.”

JESUS MADE THE FINAL DECISION TO GO TO THE CROSS IN THE GARDEN

Matthew 26:39; Mark 14:35-36; Luke 22:41-42

Then Jesus went a little farther away, about the distance of a stone’s throw, knelt on the ground and fell on His face. He prayed that, if it were possible, this time of agony might pass from him. “Abba, Father,” He said, “everything is possible for you. My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me. Yet do not do what I will, but what you will.”

HOW IMPORTANT IS GOD’S WILL TO YOU?

Matthew 26:40-41; Mark 14:37

He returned to the disciples and found them sleeping. He said to Peter, “Simon, are you asleep? So you couldn’t watch with me for even one hour! Watch and pray that you may not be tempted. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

Matthew 26:42-44; Mark 14:39-40; Luke 22:42-46

A second time he went off and prayed. “My Father,” He said, “if you are willing, take away this cup from me. Yet if this cannot pass from me unless I drink it, do your will and not my own.” Then an angel from heaven appeared to Him, and strengthened Him. He was in agony and prayed even more fervently, and His sweat became like large drops of blood falling to the ground. When He got up from praying, he returned to the disciples and found them sleeping again, exhausted from sorrow, for their eyes were heavy. He said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray so you may not be tempted!” They didn’t know how to respond. So He left them and went off again and prayed a third time, saying the same things as before.

Matthew 26:45-46; Mark 14:42

“Are you still sleeping and getting some rest? It’s enough! See, the time has come and the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. Get up and let’s go. Look, my betrayer is coming!”

SIN IS NO SMALL THING TO JESUS

JESUS THOUGHT WE WERE WORTH THE SUFFERING HE WENT THROUGH IN THE GARDEN AND THE SUFFERING THAT HE WOULD SOON FACE AT THE CROSS

CHRIST’S ARREST AND COMPASSION

FRIDAY 1:00 to 1:30AM

JESUS IS THE CALM ALMIGHTY ONE

Matthew 26:47-49; Mark 14:43-45; Luke 22:47-48; John 18:2-3

A large crowd approached while he was still speaking. The man named Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. Judas also knew the place, because Jesus had often gone there with His disciples. So Judas came there, accompanied by a cohort of soldiers, officers from the chief priests, Pharisees, teachers of the law, and elders of the people, all bearing torches and lanterns and swords and clubs. The betrayer had given them a signal. He told them, “It’s the one I kiss. Seize him and lead him safely away.” As soon as he arrived, he approached Jesus to kiss him. “My friend,” Jesus said to him, “why have you come?” “Master!” Judas said. “Greetings, Master!” And he kissed him. “Judas,” Jesus said, “are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?”

JESUS ASKED THE CROWD A SIMPLE QUESTION:

John 18:4-6

“Who do you want?” “Jesus of Nazareth!” they answered! Jesus replied, “I am.” When Jesus said, “I am,” they all drew back and fell to the ground.

NEXT, JESUS MADE A MOST LOVING REQUEST TO THE ARRESTING OFFICERS ON BEHALF OF HIS DISCIPLES

John 18:8

Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. If you are looking for me, then let these men go.”

JESUS VOLUNTARILY WAS THE CALM PRISONER

Matthew 26:50-54; Mark 14:46-47; Luke 22:49-51; John 18:10-11

Then they came and seized Jesus and took him away. When those who were standing around saw what was about to happen, they said to him, “Lord, should we strike them with the sword?” Simon Peter drew his sword and struck the high priest’s servant, cutting off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus.) But Jesus said, “Enough of this!” He touched the man’s ear and healed him. Then he told Peter, “Put your sword back into its sheath. Everyone who uses the sword will die by the sword. Don’t you understand that even now I could call to my Father and he would send me more than twelve legions of angels? But then how would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen like this? Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?”

JESUS SPOKE TO THE CONSCIENCE OF HIS CAPTORS

Matthew 26:55-56; Mark 14:48; Luke 22:52-53

At that same time Jesus said to the crowds and to the chief priests, the captains of the temple, and the elders, who had come out to arrest him, “Have you come out to seize me with swords and clubs, as if I were a robber? I sat daily with you, teaching in the temple, yet you didn’t arrest me or stretch out your hands against me. But this has all happed to fulfill the Scriptures of the prophets. This is your hour, and the power of darkness.”

Matthew 26:56; Mark 14:51-52

Then all the disciples abandoned him and ran away. A young man was following him, clothed only in a linen cloth, and some other young men grabbed him. But he ran way from them naked, leaving behind the linen cloth.