Holy Week Thursday and Friday

Camp Lakeview Indiana. 10/9/2011 dwm

 It's down to the last few days of Holy Week.  Jesus shared a special supper with his closest friends and followers, he knew one of them was going to turn him over to the authorities.  He wanted to take a moment and pray.

 

 Matthew 26: 36-41

Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, "Sit here while I go over there and pray."

 He took along Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to feel sorrow and distress. Then he said to them, "My soul is sorrowful even to death.  Remain here and keep watch with me."  He advanced a little and fell prostrate in prayer, saying "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me, yet, not as I will, but as you will."

When he returned to his disciples he found them asleep.  He said to Peter, "So you could not keep watch with me for one hour?  Watch and pray that you may not undergo the test.  The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak."

Peter, James, and John weren't up to providing the comfort their friend and Savior asked of them.  After two more prayers, Jesus woke them up.

Matthew 26: 48 - 50

His betrayer had arranged a sign with them, saying, "The man I shall kiss is the one; arrest him."

 

Immediately he went over to Jesus and said, "Hail, Rabbi!" and he kissed him.

Jesus answered him, "Friend, do what you have come for." Then stepping forward they laid hands on Jesus and arrested him.

In front of the high priest,  an unfair trial found Jesus guilty of violating Jewish law, then dragged him to the Roman governor for a death warrant.  He died an agonizing death hanging on a cross Good Friday.

All seemed lost.  The disciples agreed, forgetting what they were told would happen two days later.