Americus times-recorder., 1919-12-07


GOLDEN TEXT-Wateh We and pray
lest ye enter into temptation Mark I4SS
ADDITIONAL MATERIAL--Mat 26:36-
IS: Luke 22:Sa-54; John lS1-r,
PRIMARY TOPIC-An &,gel Strength
ening Jesus.
JUNIOR TOPIC Peter and John Fail
to Help Jesus.
INTERMEDIARY TOPIC = Asleep on
Duty
SENIOR AND ADULT ToPIC-Jesus
Depends upon His Disciples
|. christ's Suffering wv. 32-34).
l. The place ". 32). The garden OF
Gethsemane--an inclosLre containing
olive and fig trees, beyond Kidron,
about three-fourths of a mile from Je-
rusalem. The name means olive-press.
The name is significant Of the occasion.
Edersheim says 1t is an emblem OF
trial, distress and agony. Perhaps the
garden was owned by one Of Jesus
friends.
2. His companions ". 35) He took
with him the IL disciples, that they
might share, so far as possible, this
sorrow with him. Being a real human
being he craved sympathy. He bade
them watch with him. While he knew
that he must "tread the wfne-press
alone" he had a keen appreciation of
sympathy so far as those who loved
him could give it. The behavior Of the
disciples shows the utter limitation of
human sympathy.
8 His great sorrow ". 34). This is
the same as the "cup" in verse SO. II
was not primarily the prospect of
physical suffering that was crushing
him; 1t was the suffering as a sin
bearer-the sensations Of his pure soul
coming into contact with the awful sin
and guilt of the world. Only pure and
refined natures can understand this
In addition TO this, there was the Judg-
ment stroke from the holy God as II
fell upon his Son instead Of the sin
ner. God caused the iniquities of the
world to strike upon Jesus (u Cor.
sol lisa. SO :6).
H. Christ Praying (vv. 35-42).
Though he priced human sympathy
in the hour Of supreme need, his only
recourse was prayer. The sympathy
of our friends is helpful, but in the
great crises of life we can find help
only when we go to God in prayer. ''Is
any among you afflicted Let him
pray" Games :13).
/. The first prayer wv. 35-3S). O
His posture ". 35). He fell on his
face, PROSTATE on the ground. In the
hour of our great need we naturally
PROSTATE ourselves before God. This
is a becoming posture. (2) His petit
tion ". 36). "Take away this cup
from me" BY the cup is meant his
death on the cross. He did not desire
to escape the cross. No doubt 1t was
most grievous to him to face it's shame.
hut he pressed on, knowing that for
this cause he had come into the world
John 12 :27. 2S cf. Heb. 2:14). He
prayed that the hour might pass from
him." that is, that his life might be
prolonged to die on the cross at the
appointed time to make atOnement for
the sins of the world. The burden was
so great that 1t seemed his life would
be crushed out. His prayer was heard
(Heb. SD. When God hears our
prayers he grants the petition desired
q John 5:1415) Angels ministered
to him, giving the necessary grace to
endure to the end duke 22:43). (3)
His resignation ". 36). His will was
In subjection to the Father He knew
that his death on the cross WAS the
will Of God the Father; for he was the
Lamb slain from the foundation Of the
world a. The disciples rebuked ".
80. He singled out Peter. since he
had been the most conspicuous in pro-
claiming his loyalty (John 1899.
Though he would go with him to death
he could not watch one hour % FIX
hortation to the disciples ". 3S)
"Watch and pray lest ye enter into
temptation" The only way to be able
to stand in the time Of trial is to be
watching and praying. Jesus knew
that although the disciples meant we'll,
they would fail In the trial unless aid
ed from above The flesh is too weak
TO stand the strain.
q The second prayer wv. 80, 40).
He withdrew the second time from his
disciples and uttered the same words
in prayer This was not vain repeti-
ton. II is proper to repeat our re.
quests. He found the disciples asleep
again. Their shame and confusion was
more marked than at first
B. The third prayer wv. Al. 42).
He uttered the same words In his
third prayer (Matt. &c :44). He now
tells the disciples TO sleep on and take
their rest, as the hour had come for
his betrayal There Is such thing
as being asleep when wanted and
awakng when il is too late. If the
disciples had been praying they would
not have fallen asleep.