Part 18 (2/2)

”Drink--all of you--drink of this wine. It is my blood, which I am going to shed so that the sins of many people may be forgiven. And in the days to come, do this same thing often, always remembering me.”

Then they sang a hymn together and walked out into the night air and went up the Mount of Olives.

As they walked, Jesus said to the disciples:

”You will all desert me tonight. For it is written in the Scriptures that when something happens to the shepherd the sheep will go away in all directions. However, I shall meet you again.”

Peter spoke up, and said bravely,

”Even if everyone else deserts you, I will not!”

Jesus answered: ”Before the rooster crows at sunrise to tell you that morning has come, you will have said three times that you do not even know me.”

But Peter cried out that even if he died for it he would be true to Jesus. And all the other disciples said the same.

Presently they came to a grove called Gethsemane. It was late. Jesus said to the disciples,

”Sit here, while I go and pray.”

[Ill.u.s.tration]

He took only Peter and James and John with him, and went a little way apart from the rest. To the three disciples he said:

”I am greatly troubled. I do not know how I can bear it any longer.

Wait here, and stay awake with me.”

Going a few steps farther on, Jesus fell on his knees and began to pray aloud:

”O my Father, if it is possible, take this cup away; do not let these things happen to me! Yet not my will, but thine, be done.”

When he had prayed this way, he came back to Peter and James and John.

All three were fast asleep. Jesus woke Peter up, and said:

”What! Couldn't you stay with me for one short hour? Stay awake and pray. Pray for yourselves. You are going to need strength. You are not so strong as you want to be.”

He left them again, and once more he fell on his knees and prayed,

”O my Father, if I must suffer these things, thy will be done.”

When he returned, the disciples again were sleeping. They were too tired to stay awake.

A third time he went apart from them and prayed. He prayed in the same words he had used before. And suddenly he began to feel stronger. He rose from his knees at last, and came back to the disciples. His voice broke in upon their sleep: ”Are you still sleeping? Well, you've slept long enough! My time is up. I am going to be turned over to sinners now! Get up! Look, the traitor is coming!”

While he was still speaking, a crowd of soldiers carrying swords and clubs burst into the grove. Judas Iscariot was leading them. Judas ran to Jesus and kissed him, saying,

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