The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1888-05-12
THE PRAYER OF JESUS.

HIS NEED.-That JESUS needed to pray is
sufficiently answered by the fact that he SO
frequently prayed. The utility of prayer is
sufficiently testified to by his example. Since
JESUS needed to pray there should be no
question as to our need. He was tempted,
tried, or tested, in all points like as we are,
yet without sin Hebrews iv. 15). He ac-
knowledged the Divine source of all spiritual
strength and qualified himself by prayer to
successfully resist every temptation and to
triumph in every experience of trial. His
spiritual experience in the garden may have
been similar to his temptation in the wilder
ness Gv. Ill; see Lesson, July 81. There
he was tempted to yield to popular opinion
and expectation, and easily win popular
following, and the allegiance of his country
men, the Jewish authorities, at the expense
of truth and the sacrifice of heroic duty de-
manded by the principles of the kingdom
which he came to proclaim. Here the temp
tation may have been to avoid his approach
ing death, by which the kingdom of truth
and righteousness, which he had faithfully
proclaimed, should be glorifed in the earth.
and that his race and nation might escape
the dreadful destruction which would follow.
That which distressed his soul, may not have
been wholly the pain of dying, or the shame
of condemnation to a criminals death, but
his love for his people. the ancient "people
of GoD," and deep felt wish that they
might yet enjoy the promised blessings of
the Messiah's kingdom.
few days before he had wept over Jeru-
salem as he contemplated its pending de-
struction in the progress of the kingdom
which he had proclaimed to promote the
blessings of its people Luke xix. 41-44). A
few hours later he said to the weeping wo-
men who were following him to the cross:
Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me-
but weep for yourselves and your children"
duke xiii. 22-29). The sorrowful fate of
his countrymen distressed the soul of JESUS
more than his own fate as their rejected king.
His distress was real and profound, and ex
pressed itself in an appeal to the only real
source of relief and comfort. JESUS went
short distance from the three watching dis
ciples, and kneeling down he Frustrated him.
self upon the ground in an agony of his feel
ing and prayed that if it were possible he
might avoid the experiences of the coming
hOuAg d00AAS thC hOOOrSdty VI
all true prayer, mot my will, but Thine be
done" duke xxi. 42). This he repeated in
substance three several times, coming to the
three disciples each time to find them asleep.
They were not 80 deeply moved with sorrow
or sympathy with his distress but that they
yielded to their WEAKNESS and fell asleep.
He manifested surprise especially that Peter,
who had recently been go boastful of his
fdelity 1887 could not watch with him one
hour, and exhorted them to watch and pray
that they enter not into temptation. remark
ing that "the spirit is indeed willing, but the
flesh is weak" abiding probably to their
drowsinsss. The occasion for their prayer
was substantially and effectively that of his.
If he should escape the treschery of Judas
they would not be tempted to desert and
deny him.
THE ANsWER.-Was the prayer of JESUS