THE NIGHT OF THE BETRAYAL.
As they went out through the darkness down the valley and over the
Kedron, Jesus still talked with His disciples. To Peter's question,
"Lord, where goest thou?" He said, "Whither I go thou canst not follow
me now, but thou shalt follow me afterwards." "Lord, why cannot I
follow thee now?" said Peter. "I will lay down my life for thy sake."
"Verily, verily I say unto thee, the cock shall not crow till thou hast
denied me thrice," said Jesus.
"Simon, Simon, behold Satan hath desired to have you that he may sift
you as wheat; but I have prayed for thee that thy faith fail not; and
when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren."
"All ye shall be offended because of me this night; for it is written,
'I will smite the Shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be
scattered abroad.'"
[Illustration: Gethsemane]
Jesus and his friends had reached the olive trees of Gethsemane when He
asked them to sit there while He went away a little distance to pray.
He took Peter and James and John with Him; and began to be very
sorrowful, and He said,
"My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here and
watch with me." He went a little farther, and fell on His face and
prayed, saying, "O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from
me: nevertheless, not as I will, but as Thou wilt." He found His
disciples sleeping for sorrow, and He said to Peter, "What! could ye
not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray, lest ye enter into
temptation." Again He prayed, "O my Father, if this cup may not pass
away from me except I drink it, Thy will be done." And there appeared
an angel unto Him from heaven, strengthening Him. Then there was the
sound of the tread of many feet, and the light of torches moving among
the olive trees, and Judas, leading a band of priests, elders and
captains of the Temple came toward the little group, and kissed Jesus
as a sign that He was the One whom they sought. Jesus turned to him
saying, "Judas, betrayest thou the Son of Man with a kiss?" And to the
others, "Whom seek ye?"
[Illustration: Jesus betrayed by Judas]
"Jesus of Nazareth," they answered. And when Jesus had said to them,
"I am He," they fell backward at the sight of His face. "When I was
daily with you in the Temple," He said, "ye stretched forth no hands
against me; but this is your hour and the power of darkness." Peter
drew a sword and struck at the high priest's servant in defence of his
Master, but Jesus said gently,
"Suffer ye thus far," and touched his ear and healed him. "Put up thy
sword into the sheath," He added. "The cup which my Father hath given
me, shall I not drink it?"
Then they took Jesus and bound Him to lead Him away, and the disciples
forsook Him and fled, as had been written in the prophets. But John,
the loving and beloved, came back and followed Jesus. So did Peter,
remembering his vow, but he followed Him afar off.