Jesus begins to talk about being abandon. Talks about his disciples being offended. The leader of the disciples or second in command if there really is one it would be Peter. Jesus even tell Peter he will deny him three times before the rooster crows, and Peter assist that he would not deny him, but as you will see he does at the story progress this week to the trial of Jesus. Right now let's focus on several things, Jesus knows it is time of his betrayal but not only his time of betrayal, but the need of preparation for the event. He draws his disciples away to the garden of Gethsemane where he often prays. He is very sorrowful and heart broken because he knows he will have to face death. Jesus and his three main disciples part away from the main group to pray, their names are Peter, James and John. Jesus went a little further away to pray. He begins to pray to God the Father in all humanity about the cup he would have to bear. This cup if God his Father might remove it. We see King David pray a similiar prayer as his son lays dying because of illness as a baby. Trying to remove the sin he committed that would cause his baby son to die for his sin. Jesus committed no sin against God only against the rules of man, yet because he lived as a man he would have to face the punishment of man. He cries out to God the Father.

Jesus being truly Lord is showing his humanity to his disciples, the cross they too would bear at times in their life for preaching the Gospel. True persecution is being persecuted for preaching the Gospel of Jesus, prevention of preaching, or forcing one to stop or force them to try and stop. Jesus persecution would be about standing in the middle of God's word and the sin of the temple. Had not Pharisees and Sadducees not correct him on things not of God, concerning the law of Moses. One being eating with sinners, his disciples eating corn on the Sabbath, when picking it, and so forth. Did God intend for man to be so legalistic that the rules were only to be a guide to religious living, but it some how became a task master.

Jesus looking at the cup he would be bearing for the sins of the world, because the priesthood was allowing thieves to destroy God's house and making it a den of thieves. People selling for their own profit and not the benefits of God or giving straight to God. He had ridden on a colt into the city of Jerusalem in the way of a king. Now he face the counsel of the Temple for the crime of exalting himself and would question by what authority he did turned the tables of the temple tables over the Temple Counsel would question. However right now we are in the garden with Jesus talking to God the Father and his disciples were asleep instead of praying. He wakes them to tell them their spirit is willing but their flesh is weak to watch and pray.

Jesus went back to his spot to pray and his disciples fell asleep once more and he said let them sleep for the hour is at hand. Then he tells them to arise the betrayer has come to betray him to sinners. Jesus was adamanent he was going to die for the sinners in the situation, that he was not guilty. Now looking from rational side of law we see Jesus as guilty as man, but not as who he is and claims to be. Without the cross without the resurrection the story would need to go no further, but we need to play it out because of the events that would follow.

Are we in place that the stand we take for our faith could cost us something more then we realize. The answer is always yes, because the moment of reaction is different from any plan, plot or quick decisions. We might think we know what we will do in a situation or a choice, but we may react differently. Peter heart was in the right place so was James and John. Yet truth Peter was prophesied that he would deny Jesus. He would abandon him Everyone was prophesied as having to abandon him and yet his mother would sit at the cross as he hung on it. Even God would take his Spirit from Christ's body and turn away from his Son. Jesus was ready in regards knowing of his resurrection, but humanly the idea of what was coming continued him in the garden praying, until he thought to leave the garden, but it was to late to change his mind unless he called the legion of angels to protect him.

Tomorrow we will continue the story, but first are you at a place in your life you have to deal with the issues around you head on and not run from them. I think there is time when we all have to face issues we would not like to, but it better to go ahead and face them. The time to pray is before we face the mob of people not after. To prepare for what is to come no matter the price is important. To pray to watch, to wait and do it God's way always, not be concern with the full measure of cost without knowing the victory is just in sight. Jesus willing to pay the price of man's laws for the sake of the Gospel. Christ's surrender to the will of God knowing the victory.

Dear Heavenly Father, prepare our hearts for whatever come head in life but also knowing we have victory through your Son, Jesus. That there is nothing we have to face that is not great their love for us. In Jesus precious name, Amen.

Continual Scripture Study: Luke 22:41-46 KJV
41 And he was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed,
42 Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.
43 And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.
44 And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.
45 And when he rose up from prayer, and was come to his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow,
46 And said unto them, Why sleep ye? rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation.