Category: Christian Life
Keywords: atonement, garden of Gethsemane, Jesus Christ, Peter, disciples, prayer, temptation
Summary: The events leading up to the crucifixion can teach us much about standing up for truth, standing up for our Savior in face of opposition and ridicule.

At the feast of the Passover, Jesus sat down with his disciples in a large upper room of a building (Luke 22:12). It was there that Christ instituted the sacrament or Lord's supper. He took the bread, gave thanks, broke it and gave it to them saying, ''This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.'' Then he took the cup and said, ''This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.'' (Luke 22:19)

Christ foretold of his own death and resurrection. Whenever we partake of this ordinance we do so in ''remembrance'' of him. We remember his body that he gave and the blood that he shed for us. The symbols of this ordinance are designed to remind us of his sacrifice and our devotion. God knows that it is human nature to forget. We can be zealous one day and forgetful the next. This fact is evident in the events that followed the Lord's supper.

After Judas had left to betray him, Jesus prophesied to his disciples that even they would scatter and deny him. Peter insisted that ''Although all shall be offended, yet will not I.'' But Jesus said to him, ''Verily I say unto thee, That this day, even in this night, before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice.'' In shock, Peter spoke vehemently, ''If I should die with thee, I will not deny thee in any wise.'' The rest of the disciples agreed. (Mark 14:29-31)

After this, Jesus took his disciples to the garden of Gethsemane. He asked his disciples to ''Sit ye here, while I shall pray.'' Then, he took Peter, James and John and began to be sorrowful and very heavy. (Matthew 26:37) Mark 14:33 tells us that he ''began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy.'' What torment, what anguish would cause the very Son of God to be amazed? He asked them to ''Pray that ye enter not into temptation.'' (Luke 22:40) and then withdrew himself ''about a stone's cast, and kneeled down and prayed, saying 'Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.' And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him. And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.'' (Luke 22:41-44)

What torment, what anguish he must have suffered as the weight of our sins began to descend upon him in the garden! So great was his pain that his Father sent an angel to strengthen him. Yet where were his disciples? They were only a stone's cast away, yet when he rose from his prayer and went over to them he found them sleeping. He said to them, ''What, could ye not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.'' (Matthew 26:40-42)

His disciples seemed almost oblivious to the importance of the events that were occurring at that moment. Where were they when He needed them to stand by him and support him in his darkest hour? They were asleep. How many of us fall asleep spiritually when he needs us? Do we slumber in apathy in a world filled with evil? Never waking up to be a part of a solution? Or do we stand up and be counted, giving support and encouragement to those on the side of truth and righteousness? Even an encouraging word can do much to alleviate the burdens of those around us. Even one word in defense of truth may be enough to make others who are too timid to stand up for what is right come forth in boldness.

As he was speaking to them, a large group of people came, led by Judas who betrayed him with a kiss. John tells us that Peter drew his sword and cut off the ear of the high priest's servant. Jesus told him to ''Put up again thy sword into his place for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.'' (Matthew 26:52) Then Jesus immediately reached forth his hand and healed the servant. (Luke 22:51) Jesus wanted his disciples to be there for him, stand up and be counted, but not through violence. Fighting with the sword was not the answer here.

Christ was then taken, bound and carried before chief priests and elders. Just as Christ had prophesied, the sheep scattered when their shepherd was taken. (Matthew 26:31) Each of the disciples ran off. But Peter followed from a distance that he might learn what would become of his Lord. He followed him into the high priest's palace and sat with the servants to see what would happen (Matthew 26:58). One by one, false witnesses who contradicted each other came forth. Most likely they were paid for their testimony. ''But Jesus held his peace.'' Matthew 26:63.

What composure, what a knowledge of his mission He had! How many of us could stand still, never saying a word while we were falsely accused? Yet, Jesus knew this was what his Father wanted. He knew that the salvation of souls hung in the balance and that he must submit to these preposterous allegations. How many of us cannot even withstand the ridicule and taunting words of seeming friends or family who would not physically harm us, much less stand before enemies who seek our death?

As Christ was questioned, Peter sat down to warm himself next to a group of people who were huddled by a fire that was kindled in the midst of the hall. A maid saw him, looked at him earnestly -- as if to study his face and said, '' This man was also with him.'' But Peter denied it and said, ''Woman I know him not.'' A little while passed and another person saw him and said, ''Thou art also of them.'' But Peter answered with an oath, ''Man, I am not.'' (Luke 22:55-58, Matthew 26:72)

A third time, someone came up to Peter and said, ''Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech betrayeth thee.'' Then Peter began to curse and to swear saying, ''I know not the man.'' And immediately the cock crew. Peter then remembered the word of Jesus which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out and wept bitterly.'' (Matthew 26:73-75)

Before the cock crew and before Peter realized what he had done, he just wanted to fit in with the crowd. He didn't want to stand out as someone associated with Jesus Christ. If it meant swearing and cursing to prove he was not associated, to prove he fit in with the rest, then so be it. Fear of men overtook him at that point. Not until the cock crew did he realize what he had done and shrank off in remorse. What do we do in our own lives just to fit in? Just to be popular? Just so we don't rock the boat? Do we realize the price we pay for our cowardice? Do we realize that we are denying our Lord when we shrink from living as an example of Him to others?

Just a few hours earlier Peter had promised that he would never deny him. That very evening he had joined in the Lord's supper and ate the bread and drank the wine in remembrance of Him. He had even been so bold as to draw his sword in Christ's defense in the garden, yet by morning he had forgotten Christ's words and denied him three times. How soon we forget! How soon we slacken our faith and lose our confidence in the Lord. No wonder we must be continually reminded to remember him.

But in Peter we find hope for even the weakest of us -- even for those of us who are scared to stand up for the Savior in front of our friends and family. Peter later became a great prophet who led the Church after Christ's resurrection and ascension. Peter grew in his spiritual strength. Over time, he became as strong as one could be in standing up for the Savior. So there is hope for us. If we will look to Christ, pray continually that we may resist temptation, remember him, learn of him and practice standing up for Him, one day we will be strong in the face of opposition. We will be able to say to anyone who asks, ''For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth'' (Romans 1:16).

Author's URL: http://www.MarniePehrson.com