FBCWest 437 | Jesus Agony in Prayer and His Arrest
Recorded On: 02/07/2021
Bulletin
FBCWest
February 7, 2021
“God is Spirit, and those who worship Him
must worship Him in Spirit and truth.”
Praise and Worship
SCRIPTURE READING – Psalm 96:1 - 5
“Your Love Awakens Me”
“Way Maker”
Proclamation of the Word
Message by Pastor Joe
“The Earthly Life and Ministry of Jesus the Messiah”
“Jesus’ Agony in Prayer and His Arrest”
PRAYER TIME / Time of Reflection
“Amazing Love”
Giving of Selves and Our Offerings
“I am Thine O Lord”
OFFERTORY PRAYER
SPECIAL MUSIC – By Pru Hungate
Continued Praise and Worship
“Holy Water”
“Shine”
Benediction “Egypt”
Acknowledgements and Announcements
Sermon Notes
Matthew 26:30
They sing a hymn and go to the Mount of Olives
Matthew 26:36 – 38
Went to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray
Matthew 26:39 – 41
Jesus prays first time and the disciples sleep
Matthew 26:42 – 43
Jesus prays a second time still they sleep
Matthew 26:44
Jesus prays a third time
Luke 22:43 – 46
An angel ministers to Jesus while Jesus prays and in agony seats drops like blood
Luke 22:47 – 53
Jesus betrayed and arrested
Matthew 26:52 – 56
Jesus is not powerless, the Scriptures are t
Scritpures
Transcript of Service
We have been going through.
A imperfect.
Chronicle logical order.
Of the earthly life and Ministry of Jesus.
Part of the reason that it's imperfect.
Is that no one seems to agree on the exact chronological order and the reason for that is that.
Well, we in in our culture like chronological order.
The Hebrew writers were more interested in a theme and to discuss certain things and so, for instance, if their theme was more about Jesus is healing ministry, they would concentrate on that even though the healings may not be sequential.
At this time, this is one of those things where there is a debate about the sequential order.
The last
several.
Messages we've been taking a look at a single evening when Jesus.
Celebrated the Passover instituted the Lord Supper.
And did other things than we've been looking at that evening. Now there are those who believe that when we talked about some of the teaching and the prayer that Jesus prayed, often called the high Priestly prayer, that that was done after they left the upper room. I cannot think so. I tend to think that part of Passover was the celebration of the meal.
Jesus also instituted the communion, but in that there is teaching which Jesus did, and there's prayer which Jesus did. So I think all those things happened while they were still.
Collected together in that room.
But if I'm wrong.
Oh well, it's not a real doctrinal issue, and so that's why I've placed this verse where I have rather than before, and so in Matthew chapter 26, verse 30. It says this, and after singing a hymn they went to the Mount of Olives. So even we when we celebrate Passover Seder, we end by singing some type of song. Now him, they didn't pull out the Baptist hymnal and pick one of their favourites. They probably sang a Psalm.
That they had set the music, but we don't know they they said something that was part of it and in essence kind of the official close to the Savior. And so, after singing that hymn they then preceded to the Mount of Olives, while others say they preceded to the Mount of Olives before.
Then it says this. Then Jesus came with them to a place called Casima knee.
Now this Kissimmee is up by the Mount of Olives, and it's a garden. It's a place where people would go to find beauty and quiet and rest and tranquility. And so Jesus goes there late at night to pray after this long evening of the Passover Seder. The teaching an.
The prayer.
So we went there instead. He said to his disciples, sit here while I go over there to pray. He took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, that would be John and James. So it takes three of his inner.
Membership of the disciples and he began to be grieved and distressed, so it's obvious that what's going on in Jesus is life is such that is having an impact, and they can tell even that he is not just bothered, but he is grieved in distress.
And so he says. Then he said to them, my soul is deeply grieved to the point of death. Remain here, and keep watch with me, so he tells them I'm gonna leave.
You 3 here, having already left the other, the rest of the 11.
Further run and I want use especially to be watchful.
With me
and he went a little beyond them and fell on his face and prayed.
Now typically the way many religious people pray is they would stand placing their hands out and looking up to God.
This we see that Jesus is truly distressed and he is.
Making himself to find he's proned out praying.
In essence, showing his submissiveness to the father.
He fell on his face and prayed thing. My father, if it is possible, let this Cup pass from me, yet not as I will, but as you will.
Very short prayer.
Jesus taught his disciples.
The whole point of prayer isn't to say whole lot is to get to the point.
And ask, but notice he makes his request known, but his request is known. But.
The will of God is more important. This is what I want.
But you will be done.
In our prayer life, how many times have we stopped when there's something that we really want and we even think that God would really want it?
Then we would say God give me X.
And.
And everything's cool.
For Jesus says God, this is what I want. Let this Cup pass from me.
But you will.
It's not about me, it's about your will.
I find this interesting.
Because Jesus.
Has been teaching in fully well. Knows that he was sent from the father and he is going back to the father.
Hit this Cup that he's talking about is not the death on the cross.
Many people have died on the cross. Yes, it's painful. Yes, it's excruciating an in what we will see. It will be humiliating. Humiliating an many other things.
But I think the reason he's praying this prayer.
Is for two reasons.
Reason number one.
We sing a song and a part of the verse says.
But he who knew no sin.
Became sin.
Russ
you see Jesus was perfect, sinless.
And now he is going to bear the weight of the thin of.
But now the now there are theologians that will debate whether his atonement is limited or unlimited. An we can argue back and forth whether the atonement is limited or unlimited. Let me tell you this, if you have never sinned.
One thing is going to impact you. You see, we get used to it. 'cause we're sinful by nature.
It's just what we are. That's what we do. But it's not who Jesus is or what.
He was sinless in the idea of taking.
No, the sins of the world on him.
Discount Jesse gorsen
Just think about how that would impact him yourself.
And that whole idea of going from pure sinless.
To send for.
He's gotta be.
Unimaginable.
And the second thing reason I think, is 'cause he realizes 'cause we're going to see it later.
On the cross.
That he who has always been the father.
Will soon say my God, my God, why had taken?
There's that separation.
You see, we've been separated from God a lot. We choose to. It's no big deal to us. But for Jesus this is unimaginable. E horrendous. So no wonder he's in distress in agony because he's facing not death but he's facing sin.
And separation.
And so he praised.
First 40 and he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter, so you men could not keep watch with me for one hour.
Now.
I frequently have very.
Critical of the disciples because I see so much of me in them and so it's easy to be critical of them because I wasn't there. I could have done better, but in reality I have probably done worse.
But they're saying Jesus going. Look at, you see me deeply distressed. I've asked you to pray, why aren't you praying?
Well, if you've ever participated in a Passover Seder, you know it's a long evening. You gotta set up. You gotta prepare the meal is there, you eat, you drank about four cups of wine you'd he's been teaching, and his teaching is.
If you will advanced calculus, he's teaching some very heavy topics.
Their minds are explored, exploding with with the teaching and the seriousness of it.
Still a long evening, they've done a lot. It's been a long week.
Going back and forth from.
Beth Bethany to Jerusalem and back. Teaching in the temple. Doing all of these things, and out this very long evening. And so I kind of cut them some slack at this point.
They're tired.
It's night.
How many of you have ever been praying on your bed and you just fall asleep?
What they do, they just fell asleep. There was no evil intent.
They're just.
Higher.
First 41, keep watching and praying that you may not enter into temptation.
She's OK.
You're not at a point where you can pray intercessory for me. OK, I get it long day, you're tired.
Then pray for you.
You got you got a dog in this fight you need you have some needs so pray that you may not go into temptation. OK, don't you don't have to pray for me. Pray for yourselves.
And then he says something that we all kind of use as an excuse.
The spirit is willing.
But the flesh is weak.
Don't use that as that expression as a cop out, yeah?
As willing, but.
That temptation got to me because the flesh is weak.
Jesus is saying then the antidote for that.
Is prayer.
And he went away a second time and prayed, saying my father, if this cannot pass away, unless I drink it.
Your will be done so we kind of words a slightly different.
He's coming to the conclusion, OK, God is not going to change his will.
That you will be done.
And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy.
So again, notice.
The scriptures give them an excuse.
They're tired.
They're good intentions. They're just tired.
44 and he left them again, and went away, and prayed a third time, saying the same.
Thing once more.
Want you to see something? Jesus the son of God, prayed three times for something.
And God's answer was no.
Now.
I know I live in a culture that it's all about us, so wanna make it about us for a moment.
Who do you think you are if you ask God for something, his answer is no.
When the Thunder God asked three times for something and the answer was no.
And you should praise God that his answer was no, because you would be lossed and bound for hell. If God would have said, OK, Jesus change of plan.
Come on home now.
Then we would be lossed.
And going on our way to hell.
But God answer.
But for our good.
Not his.
For our blessing and not his, and so when God says no to you, and you ain't the son of God, yeah, where children have got, but you ain't that son of God.
And if he said no to Jesus.
Then it's OK to say no to you.
And maybe the reason he say no to you is maybe for your good or maybe for somebody else is good. Or maybe for the church is good or maybe for the world's good, but you don't know that's why we say God. This is what I want. But guess what? I don't know at all. I don't know what your plans are so your will be done and not mine.
And let me give you another example of a person who prayed 3 times and the answer was no. He was a pretty influential person in the church.
He changed his name from Salsa, Paul.
And we see in Corinthians that he prayed three times.
That God would remove the thorn from the flesh now is love that kind of comparison. Here Jesus prayed three times, but it's kind of like Paul said, you know I'm used to God.
Entering my prayer.
So it's kind of unusual. I did pray three times that I prayed three times.
And God's answer was.
No.
My Grace is sufficient for you.
My strength is made perfect in weakness.
And maybe one we pray God do X.
And God says, no, maybe the reason is.
That his grace might be sufficient for us, and that in our weakness his strings might be made perfect.
Jesus prays three times.
Now as a non profitable slave.
And one who knows my heart.
And the one who's not all that thrilled with humanity as a whole.
I think we're fortunate, God said no.
And they were fortunate that God is God and not me.
'cause I probably said you know, these people just ain't worth it.
Even the best of them.
Can't keep watch with me an hour.
The ones who I've lived.
And taught for 3 1/2 years. Who obviously seen my distress and my agony in my soul.
Checked out.
But you know God isn't.
He doesn't just love.
God is love.
And so when we say that for God, so love the world.
That he gave his only begotten son.
That whoever believes in him will not perish but have everlasting life.
This is the cost.
Now during this prayer time that Jesus is praying three times, the phrase he goes back, he prays, he goes back. There is something happening and I think it's probably during this third prayer. That's why I placed it here. But again, it's an imperfect chronological order and Luke 22, starting with verse 43. It says this. Now an Angel from Heaven appeared to him, strengthening him.
You see Jesus in his agony was not left alone by God.
God sent an Angel to minister to him.
And oftentimes when God requires something special from, he will send ministers. Now they may be Angels in the sense of you and I, who come to encourage and support. Or it may be angelic host.
But in this difficult time God.
Send an Angel to minister.
Strengthening him.
And being in agony.
He was praying very fervently and his sweat became like drops of blood falling upon the ground now again.
It says blood like sweats like blood and so people say, well it's it's an analogy, it's allegory. It's like so therefore it's a simile he didn't really bleed. It just looked like it and some say, well, maybe it's sweat mixed with blood and others say no and whatever.
I don't know, but I'll tell you this.
Jesus was so much in agony. Not only did it affect him psychologically, it affect him physiologically.
How many times have we prayed to avoid temptation that so much that it affected us like this?
That were that intent.
I'm speaking to God.
They will resist.
Messages.
Now, not a medical doctor, but I've heard that when this happens.
That your scent, your skin becomes hypersensitive.
If that is true, and I suspect that it is all the things that we're going to see over the next few messages about what happens to Jesus means that it is going to hurt, and he's going to suffer extremely.
Greatly.
Just not that simple agony of.
Physical abuse
but it is. Skin is so sensitive even the touch hurts.
I know some of you know what that feels like.
And when he arose from prayer, he came to the disciples, and found them sleeping from sorrow.
Notice they were tired.
Neurona where?
And now apparently their sorrowful, and in that thorough it still causes them to sleep.
This face is one of the best defense mechanisms for avoiding bad things is to take a nap.
And so apparently the best way to deal with what's happening is sleeping it off.
And said to them, why are you sleeping? Get up and pray that you may not enter into temptation.
Notice again, Jesus as a why aren't you praying for me?
Saying why aren't you praying for yourselves?
First 47 now while he was still speaking, behold, a crowd came, and the one called Judith one of the 12 was preceding them.
He approached Jesus to kiss him.
So Jesus is there, he's just.
Admonished his disciples, why they're not praying.
Judas in a crowd comes and Judas is in front of the pack as they come.
Late at night.
In a garden is supposed to be serene.
Going to betray him.
By kiss.
Fan of affection.
Sign of closeness.
You know, some cultures we kiss each other on the cheek. Even the scriptures say we were to greet one another with a holy kiss.
Is to show that we are united, that the we're together and Judith has decided to choose a kiss as a sign of a trail.
What irony?
I love you so much, Jesus. I'm handing them over to you to crucify.
How much I love you.
But Jesus said to him, Judas.
Are you retrain the son of man with the gifts? Are you? You're not just betraying a friend. You're not just portraying a rabbi. You're not just be trained that one who is taught you and live with you for about 3 1/2 years. You are betraying the son of man. Make sure you know exactly what you've done.
When those who are around him saw that what was going to happen, they said, Lord, shall we strike with the sword so they're ready to fight.
They're going to protect Jesus. You know, Jesus kind of city is going to scatter and whatever. No, no, we're here. We're ready to go, and one of them struck the slave of the High priest and cut off his right here.
And so we see somebody, and it's probably Peter.
His Peter is the one who kind of acts and after all, Jesus said you're going to die me. So he's going to prove that he's no coward, so it takes his sword.
Wax off the guys here.
Will not talk about him later, but.
His believe he later becomes a disciple. This one who loses his ear.
But Jesus answered and said, stop no more of this and he touched his ear and healed him.
Notice Jesus is betrayed.
There are those who've come to arrest him.
He performs miracles on them.
That he might be healed, that he might be as he was before he came to arrest Jesus.
Then Jesus said to the chief reason officers of the temple, the elders who had come against him, have you come out with swords and clums clubs as you would against the robber?
Speechwriter
you're treating me as if I'm a common criminal.
Well, I was with you daily in the temple.
You did not lay hands on me.
So she said this whole week of Passover.
I've been teaching in the temple.
You could have an opportunity to recipe then.
Why didn't you do it?
'cause they were afraid of the people.
It's easier to take Jesus late at night.
Then in front of the people.
But this hour?
And the power of darkness or yours.
Cheese and am submitting.
Is this is your time?
And you've been given authority to do what you're going to do.
Do yours.
If you haven't been there, turned to Matthew 26, verse 52 through 56.
And it says this.
Then Jesus said to him, put your sword back into its place, for all those who take up the sword shall perish by the sword.
Or do you think that I cannot appeal to my father and he will not at once foot at my disposal more than 12 legions of Angels?
Jesus.
If you're going to take up the sword, you're going to die by the sword, especially in this 'cause there's more of them than there of you, Anne, I'm coming to do what I'm supposed to do.
This is I don't need.
Your help?
If I wanted to.
I could call my father and he would send 12 legions of Angels.
Now that's a whole lot of people.
Specially when you take a look at the scriptures and the Scripture says 1 Angel.
By the authority of God takes Satan and throws him into the pit.
I suspect we're not as powerful as Satan.
So if Jesus has the authority to call 12 legions of Angels to come to his rescue, but I suspect no power on Earth can withstand him.
For you see, This is why Jesus came. And when people say that, well.
The events of history just rolled like a rock over of Boulder over Jesus and crushed him. They are so wrong.
This is why Jesus came.
This is why he's admitting to it and notice what he says.
How then will the scriptures be fulfilled which say it must happen this way?
I want you to understand something.
There are those.
Who will tell you that Jesus does things because the scriptures tell that he's going to do things? I think that's wrong.
Jesus is going to do things and the Scriptures tells us what Jesus is going to do.
They have it backwards. Jesus doesn't follow a road map. The road map told us what Jesus. So when we see Jesus doing things in description, then that's him. That's the Messiah. He's not doing it to confirm who he is. He's doing it because the scriptures stole it so that we might trust it.
Now.
Jesus is the word of God.
And I could stand here. And if Jesus changed his mind and did whatever I could, I could logically say, well, he's the son of God.
He's not bound to the scriptures.
He can do whatever he wants to do since he's got.
Notice how seriously God, the word of God?
Takes the word of God.
That he will not do anything that contravenes the word of God.
If him being the son of God, and we could argue has the right to change the scriptures, doesn't.
Then who are you and I?
To change the scriptures.
That's how important the word of God is that it be followed, not because it must be followed, but to be followed because it's our indication of who he is. We can trust the Word of God.
Because even when it may be to Jesus's benefit to change it, he does not do it.
So when you hear people changing the word of God.
You might want to avoid them.
'cause it's probably not going to end up good for them.
You see, Jesus has had plenty of time.
He's prayed three times.
He's asking disciples to pray.
Instead, the opportunity to call 12 legions of Angels.
To intervene.
We did not do it.
Because he's obedient to the word.
He's obedient.
Father
if a slave.
Is not higher than its master.
Then who are we to think?
The word of God doesn't apply to us.
The word of God can be changed to our benefit.
We need to take what God says seriously.
We need to understand how serious our Lord and Master took the Word of God.
So much so that he did it not for our his benefit but for ours.
His love is amazing.
His love is awesome.
And we have been instructed.
To love each other.
The way he loved us.
That maybe our prayers don't get answered.
'cause we're loving us.
Maybe?
People don't support us in our hour of need.
They didn't him either.
And he didn't bend the word of God.
To suit his purposes.
But the glorify him?
And we should do as well.
And we should acknowledge how amazing that love is.
He did so.
Freely of his own accord because he said nevertheless not my will but yours be done.
And maybe we should use that in our prayers whole lot more.
All God's people say.