Matthew 26:31-46
Q.1. How did Jesus know that all His disciples would fall away? What made His instruction fascinating? How did His disciples respond? Why did Peter come in for special attention? – (Mt.26:31-35)
In His humanity, Jesus restricted Himself to what was revealed in the Scriptures, and what His Father told Him. He knew about His betrayal, suffering, crucifixion, and resurrection, from the Scriptures. He knew He would be abandoned by His disciples. He told them so, based on the Scriptures (Mt.26:31). However, He was not in despair, and He told them – But after I have been raised, I will go ahead of you to Galilee (Mt.26:32). His death would not be the end, or the end of His leadership over His disciples. He knew that He would die … and also rise from the dead. All the disciples refused to accept that they would abandon Him (Mt.26:35). Peter was the most strident in his protest, claiming – even though all may stumble because of You, I will never disown You (Mt.26:33). However, he was in for a big fall, as Jesus predicted – before a rooster crows, you will deny Me three times (Mt.26:34).
Q.2. Why did Jesus go to Gethsemane? What did He ask Peter and the sons of Zebedee to do? Why? What was Christ’s prayer request? What can we learn from the prayer of Jesus? – (Mt.26:36-39)
Jesus then went to a garden in Gethsemane to pray (Mt.26:36). He took Peter, James, and John with Him and asked them to keep watch with Him (Mt.26:37-38). As at the Last Supper, Jesus was overwhelmed with grief, and told them so (Mt.26:37-38 c.f. Mt.26:22). Matthew recorded the reason for His agony as – He went a little beyond them, and fell on His face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will.” (Mt.26:39). Everything within Jesus recoiled from being the world’s sin-bearer. He begged His Father to find another way. However, as always, He totally submitted Himself – to Him who judges righteously (Mt.26:39 c.f. 1 Pet.2:23). Jesus didn’t go to His Father with a prayer which was telling His Father what to do, but instead left the outcome up to Him.
Q.3. How long did Jesus plead with His Father? Is real prayer more than words? Why did the disciples fail? What indicated that Jesus had accepted His fate? Did He know what would happen? – (Mt.26:40-46)
Jesus was so consumed with His pleadings, that an hour had elapsed. He found His disciples deep in sleep – for their eyes were heavy (Mt.26:43 c.f. Mt.26:40). He asked them once more to keep watching and praying, lest they be overcome with temptation. He then explained why real praying is so difficult – the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak (Mt.26:41). Far from rebuking them, Jesus expressed that human frailty works against our doing what we know is right. It is not until we are in crisis (as He was) that praying is energized by our need for Divine help (c.f. Rom.8:26, 34; Heb.5:7-10). As Jesus continued to plead, His focus changed from – My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me, … to resignation to the Father’s plan – My Father, if this cannot pass away unless I drink it, Your will be done (Mt.26:39 c.f. Mt.26:42). He continued His wrestle in prayer further (Mt.26:44). Jesus was ready to face the cross for the sins of the world, and knew exactly what would happen, as He told His disciples – 45 … Behold, the hour is at hand and the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46 Get up, let us be going; behold, the one who betrays Me is at hand!” (Mt.26:45-46).