not prevent
their sleeping even for a moment. And thus Jesus was left alone to the wrath
of God.
Jesus is alone on the earth, without any one not only to feel and share His
suffering, but even to know of it; He and Heaven were alone in that
knowledge.
Jesus is in a garden, not of delight as the first Adam, where he lost
himself and the whole human race, but in one of agony, where He saved
himself and the whole human race.
He suffers this affliction and this desertion in the horror of night.
I believe that Jesus never complained but on this single occasion; but then
He complained as if he could no longer bear His extreme suffering. "My soul
is sorrowful, even unto death."
Jesus seeks companionship and comfort from men. This is the sole occasion in
all His life, as it seems to me. But He receives it not, for His disciples
are asleep. Jesus will be in agony even to the end of the world. We must not
sleep during that time.
Jesus, in the midst of this universal desertion, including that of His own
friends chosen to watch with Him, finding them asleep, is vexed because of
the danger to which they expose, not Him, but themselves; He cautions them
for their own safety and their own good, with a sincere tenderness for them
during their ingratitude, and warns them that the spirit is willing and the
flesh weak.
Jesus, finding them still asleep, without being restrained by any
consideration for themselves or for Him, has the kindness not to waken them
and leaves them in repose.
Jesus prays, uncertain of the will of His Father, and fears death; but, when
He knows it, He goes forward to offer Himself to death. Eamus.96 Processit
(John).[97]
Jesus asked of men and was not heard.
Jesus, while His disciples slept, wrought their salvation. He has wrought
.
|
