Jesus instructs them that when He has risen again, He’ll meet them in Galilee. Peter says to Jesus, “Even though all men will be offended by Him, he won’t be offended by Jesus.”

Jesus warns Peter that he would deny Him three times that very night before morning comes. Peter and all the disciples still claim they may die with Jesus, but they won’t deny Him.

When Jesus and the disciples arrive at Gethsemane, Jesus tells the disciples to sit and wait for Him, while He goes to pray.

He took Peter, and James and John, the two sons of Zebedee. Jesus told them He was very sorrowful, even unto death and asked them to stay with Him and keep watch.

Then Jesus went a bit farther and fell on His face and prayed, saying, “O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.” Can you imagine the agony Jesus must have felt, knowing what was about to happen to Him?

Jesus came back to the disciples and found them sleeping. He rebuked them saying, “Couldn’t you watch with me for one hour?” Jesus reminds them to watch and pray, so they wouldn’t be tempted because the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. This is good advice for us today because it is our flesh we still have to deal with as long as we live.

Jesus went away and prayed the same prayer two more times, and both times He returned and found the disciples sleeping.

Finally, He tells them, “Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.”

Daily Bible Reading:

Matthew 26:31-45

31 Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad.
32 But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee.
33 Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended.
34 Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.
35 Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples.
36 Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder.
37 And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy.
38 Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.
39 And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.
40 And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour?
41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
42 He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.
43 And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy.
44 And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words.
45 Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.

Things to Think About:

• Why did Jesus say they would be offended?

• What did Jesus tell Peter when he said he wouldn’t be offended?

• Can you imagine the distress Jesus must have been under knowing what was about to take place?

• Why were the disciples sleeping?

• Have you put your faith and trust in God?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

As we read this Scripture of Jesus praying in Gethsemane, we can see that this was not an easy thing for Jesus to do, but He submitted to Your will. Help us to do as Jesus told the disciples to do, watch and pray. You know we need Your help because the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. Just as Jesus put all His faith and trust in You, help us to have faith that You will work everything out. In Jesus’ name, we pray. We love You, LORD. Amen.

Daily Bible Verse:

-Exert from The Book of Matthew: Life of Jesus Christ by Deborah H. Bateman. If you don’t already have a copy of the book, click the link above to get your copy now!

Christian Music Video: Gethsemane by Reese Oliveira