The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1886-09-25
The Sunday School.
BY REV. G. L. DEMAREST, DID.
LESSON FOR OCTOBER 8, 1886.
JESUS BETRAYED.
John xviii. 1-14.l
GETHsEMANE.


1t appears to have been JESUS custom
when at Jerusalem attending the popular
festivals of his countrymen and their relig-
ion to spend the day in the city teaching in
and about the temple, and to return in the
evening to the Mount of Olives, on the east
erly slope of which was the village of Beth
any, the home of Martha and her sister
Mary, and their brother Lazarus (chapter
viii. Il Luke xxi 80. On the way he fire.
quently fingered with his disciples, instruct
ing them privately, and enjoying that init
mate and personal intercourse with them
thai he could not have in the thronged city
Matthew xiv. 81, and it may be for prayer
and private meditation also. The Mount of
Olives was separated from Jerusalem and
the Mounts (Zion and Moriah) upon which
it was situated, by a deep ravine, through
which flowed winter-torrent, but which was
usually dry. On the banks of this valley of
the Kidron were numerous vineyards, and on
the slopes Of Mount Olivet were gardens, or
groves of olive trees. These no doubt made
the place the more attractive to the Master,
who sought secluson and rest from the ex-
citing scenes of the crowded city. In one of
these was an oil press, which gave it its name,
Gethsemane, and which is forever memors-
BILE for being the scene of the Saviour's last
interview with his disciples, and of his be-
trayal by the infamous Judas, and his seiz-
ure and arrest by the malignant Jewish au-
thorities.
Always given to solitary prayer, among the
hills so dear to him as Galilean, he had
often turned aside to commune with his Fa-
Their on one part or other of Olivet, and, this
night, chose the stiffness and shade of spot
which his presence made, hencefOrth sacred
forever. An olive orchard lay near, known
by the name of the OH Press-or. as we are
accustomed to think of lt-Gethsemane. 1t
was called SO from a rock trough in it,
in which the rich olives were trodden with
the feet, the oil flowing into lower vat at
hand.-Geikie.
When Judas went out from the supper
room xiii. 30) to consnmmate the foul deed
which he had now fully determined to accom-
plish, he no doubt considered that JESUS and
the disciples would soon depart for the accus-
toned resort. He went to the high priests
and secured officers and a detachment of
soldiers from the Roman garrison, to make
the arrest of his Master whom he had agreed
to betray into their hands.
90 When JESUS had finished the prayer,
a part of which comprised our Lesson of
September 10, che went out with his disei-
pies over the brook Kidron where was gar
den into which he and his disciples entered"
Judas was now on the way to the same famil-
lar place, guide to the officers, soldiers, and
atumultuous rabble that followed them.
According to the accounts given by Mat
thew and Mark, and which IS wholly omitted
by John, JESUS, upon entering the garden of
Gethsemane, requested the disciples to re-
main near the entrance while he went into
retirement to pray. He took with him Peter,
James and John, the three with whom he
had been most familiar and intimate of all
his disciples. He revealed to them the over
whelming sorrow of his mind and heart in
view of the shame and suffering he was so
soon to endure. He prayed three several
times that, if it were possible, the cup of his
bitter experience might be removed: always
with the qualification essential to true and
efficacious prayer. mot my will, but thine
be DONE" The disciples wearied and slept
while he prayed. He rebuked Peter, who
could not watch with him even single hour,
(Chapter xiii. 80. He exhorted them to
swatch and pray that they enter not into
temptation" Matthew XVI Az. And when he
had overcome his anguish of soul and gained
strength through his prayer for the trying
ordeal, he triumphantly answered, 'the hour
has come, the betrayer is approaching, and
am prepared. '("It is enough" Mark xiv. Al.
And before the announcement was concluded,
-"while he was speaking" Luke xxi. 45)-
Judas and his company with torches and Ian
terms and weapons appeared. The torches
were to illuminate the way; the lanterns were
probably for searching the caverns and grot-
toes, numerous in the region, where it may
have been thought JESUS might secrete him.
self; and the weapons, swords, clubs, etc.,
were the usual implements of warfare car
ried by the officers, soldiers, and accompa-
nying rabble. JESUS, now Gained and reso-
lutte through the exercise of his soul in trust
full prayer, instead of shrinking in terror
from the approaching warlike multitude,
confidently and boldly toent out, probably
from the immediate presence of the three
disciples who we're his companions to meet
them, and inquired, "Whom are you seek
ing"