All will stumble… vs. 31-35

•  1^st – Scattered… vs. 31-32
  • Hated… vs. 31
    • Then Jesus said to them: All of you will be made to stumble because of Me this night!
    • Jesus and His DISCIPLES were crossing over to the Mount of Olives…
    • The question of WHO would betray Jesus still lingering in their minds – Matthew 26:22
    • And Jesus told them – ALL [πᾶς] would be STUMBLED [indicative] this NIGHT [Wednesday]
    • STUMBLED [σκανδαλίζω] – 30x in NT – to be offended – or to fall away…
    • The whole world was about to come down on Jesus…
    • The Jewish priests – the Roman government [Pilate – Herod] – satan…
    • And to stand up for the Lord – would mean being HATED by EVERYONE else!
    • The Last Supper is NOT recorded in the Gospel of John [bread and wine]
    • But what Jesus taught the DISCIPLES during that last meal is ONLY recorded there…
    • It is the LONGEST teaching by Jesus in the New Testament [FIVE chapters] – John 13-17
    • And one of the things Jesus said to them was – get ready to be HATED!
    • John 15:19 – “If you were of the world the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world – but I chose you out of the world – therefore the world hates you!”
    • The world hates Jesus because He convicts the world of sin and righteousness…
    • If it were NOT for Jesus men could do whatever they wanted without consequence…
    • Because men LOVE sin – they HATE the light that reveals their wickedness – John 3:19-20
    • Being the FRIEND of Jesus – means we need to be ready to be HATED!
  • Strike the Shepherd… vs. 31
    • For it is written: I will strike the Shepherd and the sheep of the flock will be scattered!
    • Jesus was NOT shocked by the fact they would ALL leave Him…
    • He knew it from the beginning – it was even PROPHESIED – Zechariah 13:7
    • He would be STUCK [πατάσσω] – the word can mean to be KILLED…
    • As a result – the SHEEP [disciples] He was the SHEPHERD over – would be SCATTERED…
    • SCATTER [διασκορπίζω] – where we get the word SCORPION [σκορπίζω]!
      
    • I had a friend who was traveling in BELIZE on a missions trip…
    • Some kids thought it would be funny to throw a SCORPION on his lap [no stinger]
    • You have never seen someone jump up and run so fast [scatter]!
    • When God chose us He knew what he was getting – I Corinthians 1:27
    • God did NOT pick us because we were mighty or wise – He chose the FOOLISH [μωρός]
    • But that is GOOD news – because it means we cannot DISAPPOINT Him…
    • He knows we will FAIL – He knows we make MISTAKES – but He still LOVES us!
  • Resurrected… vs. 32
    • After I have been raised I will go before you to Galilee!
    • Jesus did NOT leave them with BAD news – He also gave the disciples TWO promises…
    • FIRST – He would NOT stay dead – Jesus would RISE [ἐγείρω] again…
    • SECOND – He would go ahead of them to the Galilee – and meet up with them!
    • After Jesus resurrection – He appeared to the DISCIPLES – they KNEW He had risen…
    • But they went back to the GALILEE – they went back the FISHING – John 21:3
    • In other words the DISCIPLES went home – to go back to work…
    • They figured they were DONE – they had FAILED as disciples of Jesus…
    • But Jesus KNEW they were going to do this – and would be there WAITING for them!
    • Jesus does NOT expect us to be perfect – far from it – He knows we are NOT…
    • He knows we tend to FAIL – and CONDEMN ourselves…
    • But He meets us right where we are – no matter what we have done…
    • And wants to bring us back into that close relationship with Him!
    • I John 3:20 – “If our heart condemns us – God is greater than our heart and knows all things!”
  • 2^nd – Broken Promise… vs. 33-35
    • Satan knows… vs. 33
      • Peter answered and said to Him:
      • Even if all are made to stumble because of You I will never be made to stumble!
      • Peter was quick to answer – though EVERYONE [πᾶς] else STUMBLED [indicative]
      • He would NEVER [οὐδέποτε] be STUMBLED [indicative]
      • Peter had absolute confidence he was DIFFERENT – he would NOT deny the Lord…
      • But the response Jesus gave – must have sent chills down his spine!
      • Luke 22:31 – “Simon – Simon! Indeed – Satan has asked for you!”
      • I imagine those were VERY unsettling words to hear – satan knows my name…
      • But make no mistake – if we stand up for Jesus – satan knows who we are…
      • And he will come test us – try us – to see what we are made of…
      • He wants to try and prove we are NOT really sincere in our faith in Jesus!
    • Three times… vs. 34
      • Jesus said to him:
      • Assuredly I say to you that this night before the rooster crows – you will deny Me three times!
      • Jesus turned to Peter – and had to KEEP [imperfect] on saying to him…
      • AMEN [ἀμήν] – before the ROOSTER crowed [morning] – he would DENY Jesus…
      • And NOT just once – he would do it THREE times!
      • The problem that Peter had – was WHERE he was putting his faith…
      • He was NOT listening to God – no matter how many times Jesus said it [imperfect]
      • Instead he was determined to believe HE could stand – even if no one else could!
      • When we focus on the WRONG things – we inevitably miss the RIGHT answers…
      • If rather than listening to the Lord – we make decisions by what we THINK…
      • We will FAIL – because our PRIDE sets us up for a FALL – Proverbs 16:18
    • Many mansions… vs. 35
      • Peter said to Him:
      • Even if I have to die with You I will not deny You! And so said all the disciples!
      • Peter was STILL not convinced – and continued to ARGUE with God…
      • He would DIE first – and would NEVER [οὐ μή] DENY the Lord…
      • And the other TEN disciples all [πᾶς] chimed in and said the same…
      • But because Peter was speaking – rather than listening – he missed the POINT!
      • John 13:38 – “Jesus answered him: Will you lay down your life for My sake?”
      • NO – Peter would DENY the Lord – but that was NOT the end…
      • Chapter marks are NOT inspired – it was NOT the end of the conversation…
      • Where Judas had REJECTED Jesus – Peter was going to just STUMBLE and fall…
      • But God was NOT done with Him – in fact He was just getting STARTED…
      • So Jesus gave Peter one of the greatest promises of the Bible!
      • John 14:1-2 – “Do not let your heart be troubled… I go to prepare a place for you!”
      • Rather than making EMPTY promises to God [I will never do that again]
      • The important thing to do is REPENT – and get back to Jesus…
      • Keeping in mind God is NOT done with us – in fact He is just getting started…
      • And one day He is going to come back for us – to take us to be with Him forever!
      • Proverbs 24:16 – “The godly may trip seven times – but they will get up again.”

• 2^nd – Not my will… vs. 36-46
  • 1^st – Heavy Heart… vs. 36-38
    • Garden of Gethsemane… vs. 36
      • Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane!
      • Then they came to a place on the Mount of Olives called GETHSEMANE…
      • GETHSEMANE [Γεθσημανί] – meaning the OIL [שֶׁמֶן] PRESS [גַּת]
      • Located on the western slope of the mountain – overlooking the Temple Mount…
      • It was famous for its OLIVE trees [still has them to this day – some 2000 years old]
      • A quiet garden that Jesus and His DISCIPLES frequented [and Judas knew it]!
    • The Three… vs. 36-37
      • [Jesus] said to the disciples: Sit here while I go and pray over there.
      • He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee!
      • Jesus had EIGHT of the ELEVEN disciples sit [imperative]
      • But He took Peter – James – and John with Him as He went to PRAY [subjuntive]!
      • They had ALSO there when Jesus revived the daughter of Jairus – Matthew 9:25
      • And only had gone with Jesus to the top of Mount Hermon – Matthew 17:1
      • NOT that they were better than the rest – they were more TROUBLE…
      • James and John were called the Sons of Thunder [should we call down fire] – Luke 9:54 
      • And Peter tended to speak first – then think – always getting him into trouble…
      • Jesus kept these THREE with Him – because He was afraid to leave them alone!
    • Watch with me… vs. 37-38
      • He began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed. Then He said to them: 
      • My soul is exceedingly sorrowful – even to death. Stay here and watch with Me!
      • Jesus was HEAVY [λυπέω] – and DISTRESSED [ἀδημονέω] – can be translated as DEPRESSED…
      • He turned to the THREE and told them His SOUL was [present] very HEAVY [περίλυπος]
      • And pleaded [imperative] with them to ABIDE [μένω] with Him and WATCH…
      • Jesus knew who was coming [Judas] – and what his arrival meant…
      • The cross was only HOURS away – He was going to DIE [θάνατος]!
      • We have all felt the pain of a guilty conscience when we did something wrong…
      • Uncomfortable – convicting – the weight of our sin…
      • Separating us from our relationship with God in heaven!
      • Jesus felt that pain – multiplied by the weight of the SINS of everyone…
      • The full weight of the sin of the WHOLE world rested on Him…
      • Like the olive press working to crush the olives under a HUGE stone…
      • Jesus came to GETHSEMANE – to be crushed by the SIN of the world!
  • 2^nd – The Cup… vs. 39, 42, 44
    • First prayer… vs. 39
      • He went a little farther and fell on His face and prayed saying: O My Father if it is possible.
      • Let this cup pass from Me. Nevertheless – not as I will – but as You will!
      • Jesus went by Himself – fell down on His face – and PRAYED…
      • ABBA [Ἀββᾶ] Father – a very intimate Hebrew term [daddy]
      • SINCE [indicative] You have the POWER [δυνατός] – You MUST [imperative] take this CUP…
      • Jesus did NOT deserve to DIE – He had done NOTHING wrong [sinless]
      • YET [πλήν] – NOT what He wanted [θέλω] – but the Father [the sentence stops there]
      • This DECISION was so HARD – Jesus could NOT bring himself to say – YOUR will be done!
      • Luke 22:44 – “Being in agony He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.”
      • Hematohidrosis – a very rare condition in which a human being sweats blood [stress]
      • AGONY [ἀγωνία] – to struggle for victory – extreme emotions!
      • The most difficult decision EVER made – by anyone…
      • Jesus would have to face ridicule – mocking – scourging – then death…
      • God had to choose to lay down His life – to save sinners!
    • Second prayer … vs. 42
      • Again a second time He went away and prayed saying:
      • O My Father if this cup cannot pass away from Me unless I drink it – Your will be done!
      • Jesus PRAYED a SECOND time to ABBA Father…
      • SINCE [indicative] this cup could [δυνατός] NOT pass from Him…
      • The ONLY way for us to be FORGIVEN – was for Jesus to DIE – Galatians 2:21
      • Then LET [imperative] the WILL of the FATHER be done!
      • Hebrews 5:8 – “Though He was a Son yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered.”
      • God KNOWS everything – therefore since Jesus is God what could He LEARN…
      • The Father called for Jesus to suffer and DIE for the sins of others…
      • Jesus learned to OBEY the WILL of God even if it meant DEATH – Philippians 2:8
      • Jesus needed to LEARN – so we could follow His example…
      • How often do we KNOW what God wants us to do – but are TEMPTED not to OBEY…
      • God calls us to DIE to ourselves – but we debate and argue – Luke 9:23
      • Jesus can RELATE – He did not want to go to the cross – but NOT My will but YOURS God…
      • Jesus leads us to the place where we LEARN to SURRENDER to the will of the Lord!
    • Third prayer … vs. 44
      • He left them – went away again – and prayed the third time saying the same words!
      • Jesus PRAYED a THIRD time to ABBA Father…
      • And He said the SAME thing that He said the SECOND time…
      • Meaning it is OK to pray the SAME prayer more than once – Matthew 7:7
      • But what it does NOT answer is the question – how did Jesus find VICTORY!
        
      • Hebrews 12:2 – “Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross.”
      • It was the PLAN of God for Jesus to DIE for the sins of all men…
      • But Jesus did not desire to suffer – He did NOT want to go to the cross…
      • And He could have walked away at any point – spared His life – avoided death…
      • But Jesus ENDURED knowing what came AFTER the cross!
      • How do we ENDURE the TRIALS set before us in life [take up our cross]
      • We do what Jesus did – we look to the REWARD – we look to HEAVEN!
  • 3^rd – Spirit is willing… vs. 40-41, 43, 45-46
    • Sleeping… vs. 40
      • Then He came to the disciples and found them sleeping and said to Peter:
      • What? Could you not watch with Me one hour?
      • When Jesus came back after His FIRST prayer – He found the THREE sleeping [present]
      • He singled out Peter – who had claimed he would DIE for Jesus… 
      • THUS [Οὕτως] he could NOT even watch with Jesus for ONE hour!
      • When Israel came to Mount Sinai – and God came down upon the mountain…
      • The people SWORE that EVERYTHING the Lord said – they would do – Exodus 19:8
      • But it took less than FORTY days for them to make the Golden calf!
      • It is EASY to SAY that we want to follow and serve the Lord…
      • But it ends up being a LOT harder to actually live a HOLY life!
    • Temptation… vs. 41
      • Watch – pray lest you enter into temptation.  The spirit indeed is willing but the flesh is weak!
      • We must [imperative] always be WATCHING [present] and PRAYING [present]
      • If we do NOT – we might BE [subjuntive] TEMPTED [πειρασμός]
      • Because the SPIRIT is ready – but our SINFUL nature [flesh] is WEAK…
      • Meaning we might have the right MOTIVE – but we still need HELP!
      • There is a continual war raging inside each and every one of us…
      • A battle between our SPIRIT that wants to please God…
      • And our FLESH that only wants to live to please itself…
      • The Spirit says to get up in the morning and spend time with God in His Word…
      • The flesh says keep sleeping – we can always read your Bible later!
      • Galatians 5:16 – “Walk in the Spirit and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.”
      • The solution is we need to WATCH – because we know we are WEAK…
      • And we need to PRAY – asking the Lord to give us His STRENGTH…
      • Because only when we walk in His SPIRIT – can we WIN the battle over our FLESH!
      • Romans 8:1 – “Therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus – who do not walk according to the flesh – but according to the Spirit.”
    • Heavy eyes… vs. 43
      • [Jesus] came and found them asleep again for their eyes were heavy!
      • When Jesus came back after His SECOND prayer – He found them sleeping [present] again…
      • It was late at night – it had been a long day [Passover meal]
      • And Luke adds they SLEPT because they were HEAVY [λυπέω] hearted – Luke 22:45
      • Perhaps overwhelmed because of seeing the HEAVINESS in Jesus…
      • No matter how hard they tried – they just could NOT keep their eyes open!
      • Whenever we are overwhelmed – depressed – it can be exhausting…
      • It leaves us just wanted to run away – go to sleep – avoid the problem…
      • But if we IGNORE an issue – it just means we are NOT ready when it BLOWS up!
        
    • Get up… vs. 45-46
      • Then He came to His disciples and said to them: [Keep] sleeping and resting.
      • Behold the hour is at hand – and the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners.
      • Rise – let us be going. See My betrayer is at hand!
      • When Jesus came back after His THIRD prayer…
      • He told them to keep [present] SLEEPING [indicative] – and get some REST [not a question]
      • Jesus KNEW there was a LONG night ahead [SIX trials]
      • And they DISCIPLES could use all the REST they could get…
      • But no sooner had He told them to SLEEP – then He saw the torches in the distance…
      • Judas was coming – and he was NOT alone…
      • LOOK [imperative] the HOUR is NEAR – it is almost time…
      • The SON of Man [title for Jesus] – is being [present] BETRAYED into the hands of SINNERS…
      • GET up [imperative] – it was time to GO [imperative] and meet the BETRAYER!
      • What is challenge is God calling us to FACE this today…
      • Maybe we have ARGUED with the Lord – pleaded with our ABBA to take it away…
      • Like Peter – we might have made EMPTY promises…
      • Or like the THREE – we might have tried to just IGNORE it [sleep]
      • But as we WALK in the SPIRIT – learn to be OBEDIENT…
      • We can BOLDY say like Jesus – let us go and FACE our TRIAL…
      • Knowing the in the END we will have VICTORY – because God is with us!