Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-11-10

= TRANSPORTATION an upper room IN
Jerusalem to the open air at Gethsemane.
That was the saddest procession In history.
Twelve men. the Christ and eleven OF His
apostles Eph. i:2O), founders of the future
church, pass along the streets Of the sacred
city, deserted by the vast throng that have
come to the great feast EEK. xxiii:1D.
Others have found repose. They are seek
ing an oft-yisited spot, made precious by
former communings mark xiii:3-Q. that
the first scene may be enacted in that fore
told drama (Matt. xvi:21) OF the worlds
redemption. The inspired historian made
no record Of what transpired on the way.
Probably they moved on in silence. He.
the burden bearer, reflective and lonely;
they, the followers, weary and anxious. not
yet comprehending Him. Passing through
the eastern gate, down the slope into the
Kedron John xviii:D, they came to their
destination.
TIME.-This occurred on the night fol-
lowing Thursday. reckoned by the Jews as
Nisan), in the year. 80 A. D. The hour
cannot be given But, supposing that Jesus
came to the upper room after sunset CHAP
ter xxvi:2O), allowing time for the Passover
feast and it's incidents, the question con-
corning greatness, the feet washing. the
declaration concerning the perhdy or Judas
and the danger Of Peter, allowing further
time for the institution OF the supper, for
the discourse and prayer and hymn mark
xfv:2& that followed, and allowing time
for the walk-it must have been near mid
night when they came into the garden. The
profound silence that settled down upon
all things must have rendered the event
that followed exceedingly impressive. 1t
was not an uncommon thing for Jesus TO
retire into natures solitudes at night duke
vi:12). But this occasion surpasses in in
terest all that preceded.
observation-disclosures properly speak
ing. was a small farm. located probably at
the foot Of the Mount Of Olives half mile
| distant from the wall of Jerusalem. The
name, from the Hebrew, gath, a wine press,
and shemen, oil, denotes that olive trees
and probably vines were cultivated there.
Hence the term garden John xviii:D ap-
| piled to that section. Such gardens or or
chards were numerous in the time Of Christ.
| They served as places of resort, like the
parks that now belong to European and
American cities. A few of them remain in
our time and are visited by Mohammedan
| ladies, who pass the day with their faml-
| lies quietly resting under the somber foli-
age of the olive. There Is still pointed to
| the traveller In the Holy Land small tract
containing eight venerable trees, securely
inclosed under lock and key, believed by
many to be the place associated with the
agony of the Son of God. Tischendorf,
| after visiting the spot. says: THE locality
| is in perfect harmony with all we learn
| from the evangelists.'
COMMENTARY. -e
WATCHERSlOn entering the gar
| den, Jesus appointed His followers watch
| men, giving the general direction: Pray
| that We enter not into temptation" duke
xxii:4O). He seemed to fear that they
might break down. Judas had done, in
the trial that would shortly come. He
| divided them into two companies. Eight
! OF them were left in one place, with the
| counsel sGit vEhi1a 7 aha1l "
Taking with Him Peter, James and John,
| who had previously been admitted to great
| er intmacies than the others Matt xviii,
He advanced a little distance among the
trees. Then turning to the chosen three,
He said, 'Tarry We here and watch" and
went forward alone about stones cast
duke xxii:4D. Look now on those two
groups OF men-the eight, the three-form-
ing the outer and the inner. the remote
and the near guardians and friends of the
One Master. What a solemn trust was
theirs. How ought loyal affection to keep
them awake and vigilant and prayerful?
SORROW.-1n part. Jesus opened His
heart before leaving the three. He be-
GIN to be greatly amazed and very heavy"
His mind with crushing weight, and He
exclaimed: MY soul Is exceeding SORROW
| full even unto DEATH" The weight Of His
grief was SO great that He was in danger
of instant death. But the sorrow continued
and increased when alone. He kneeled
down; then He cast Himself face down.
ward upon the ground (verse 39). Then
came an agony of spirit, and great drops
of blood burst forth through the pores
and fell to the ground duke xii ~. This
intense suffering, never experienced before
or after. would have proved fatal had not
| an angel strengthened Him duke xii:43).
| Why this sorrow? 1t had been foretold
| Qsa. liii:3). But what caused 1t? Was 1t a
return Of that experienced during His tr-
umphant entry? mark xi:1-11) Was it
His utter loneliness, no one being able to
comprehend His mission? Psalm Xix :20).
| Was 1t that necessary preparation, mys-
| terious but divine. for His after glory? All
this and more. He bore our griefs and
| carried our sorrows Qsa. Iiii.4). The heavy
load Of a worlds sin was upon Him Qsa.
| liii:6.
PRAYER.-This sorrow led to prayer.
So always with men. They turn to God in
distress psalm. xxxiv:6). But He prayed
| not as man. "All things are possible unto
thee o Father. and II 1t be possible remove
| this cup" Verse &c., So that the agoniz-
ing cry was raised. simply desire that
the sorrow might pass away. but no MUIR
muir was in the request. Nevertheless
not what will. but what Thou wilt" was
quickly added And so this is but the COM
muning Of the smitten one with an in
| finite heart, breathing forth in reverence
it's confidence and resignation. 1t was the
prayer that drew the heavenly visitors
help one of a multitude at his command
pa1f ax,al INV