The Compassion Of Christ In His Hour Of Betrayal
In my last post, we engaged in the Biblical passage of Luke 22—the night of betrayal for Christ Jesus. Here, we’re going to expound on other findings within the passage.
The Night Jesus Was Betrayed - Luke 22:39-54
The Compassion Of Christ In His Hour Of Betrayal
“Pray that you may not enter into temptation.”
Let’s continue to study Luke 22:40 & 46. Christ tells his disciples twice to “pray that you may not enter into temptation.” We find that the disciples fell asleep and because Jesus emphasized this twice within a short time span, we can begin to wonder if the disciples followed through with praying much at all. We can see how Jesus was most likely trying to advise—and urge—the disciples to seek the Father— specifically for strength against temptation and sin. Regardless, the point becomes clear as we continue to read Luke 22:49-51 and Luke 22:54-62. We need to follow Christ’s example and seek The Father’s Presence and Sovereign Will through prayer and submission. When we don’t, we end up chopping off someone’s ear and denying Christ three times before the rooster crows—figuratively speaking, in our case, of course.
I don’t think it’s a stretch to wonder if these two mistakes (a mistake out of enraged fear and then further betrayal to Jesus out of fear and shame) could have been prevented if Peter and the disciples had prayed for strength and rested in God’s Presence as Christ Jesus urged. We need to seek God for HIS Strength or else things get messy (and bloody *eeek*). We mess up. We make things worse. We often tell ourselves, “Oh, it’s fine.” Or “this is ‘good enough’ for now.” Or even, “I’ll do that later.” (After a few Zzzs, apparently, Peter! *Cough Cough*.) But Christ said it was URGENT! So why do we wait?! We lose sight of the true spiritual warfare and we lose perspective in our fleshly selfishness and tunnel vision. And in the goodness of His Mercy and Grace, The Lord healed the ear of the high priest’s servant and forgave Peter for his betrayal. Stop for a moment. Christ HEALED his enemy. Christ FORGAVE the close friend who denied him and betrayed him. If THAT’S not compassion, I don’t know what is. Isn’t it SO GOOD to know that even when we screw up, God’s Grace abounds? His Love for us sees past what we do. He’s in this eternal journey for the long haul! He is gracious in His Forgiveness. (Thank you, Jesus!)
We can also see the patience and goodness of Christ back in Luke 22:31-33, in which he is our intercessor who prays on our behalf. Christ still prays for us NOW, just as he did for Peter. Even in his time of dreadful waiting, he had the heart capacity to consider others before himself—He prayed for Peter AND for himself. Christ is so considerate of us. That fact never seems to astound me. (And I personally enjoy the sweetness of Satan needing to ask PERMISSION from Christ to harm Simon Peter. I mean, is that AUTHORITY, or WHAT?! #BoomSatan *Awkward victory dance* In all seriousness, Christ rules over all power, rulers, and principalities. It is finished.)
“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers. But [Simon Peter] replied, ‘Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death’.”
Praying For Supernatural Strength
With grief, we also see Peter’s fault and how we, too, believe we have enough strength for the challenges ahead. How many times a week do we say to ourselves and others, “I don’t need help. I got this,”? How often do we think and act from our own delusional sense of self-sufficiency. We are all fools to think we can do anything apart from God. Again, Christ told Peter and the disciples to pray for STRENGTH. Christ prayed for Peter to receive strength and faith. Peter didn’t necessarily pray for strength (at least, if he did, not whole-heartedly—he was SLEEPING). So not only did Peter’s faith and strength falter at a much-needed time, he didn’t even have strength to strengthen his brothers! How sad and how true is that for us, today? And how bold, arrogant, and prideful to think we don’t need to pray for added strength for the road ahead?! Too true. And how many times have we, as Christians, fallen asleep in our devotion and commitment to Christ? And how painful for Jesus (also in human form, experiencing the human condition) was it that two of his friends betrayed him and denied him? (*Nudge Nudge* Peter and Judas) How encouraging it could have been for Jesus to not have to prophesy that Peter, his own friend, would deny him and betray him (three times!), ON TOP OF Judas’ deceit? Who wants to feel the loss of trust and faith from two friends on your way out?! (Not me!) But Christ didn’t need their alliance and friendship, yet just like us, it sure is encouraging to have a good friend—especially at such a dark time. Have you been a good friend to others?
Either way, Christ knew that Peter would turn back to him and repent and continue to move powerfully with the help of The Holy Spirit—which Jesus securely knew all along. Thank Jesus that Our God is a redemptive God. And isn’t it good to know that we can trust an all-knowing and always-faithful God? *Mmm-hmm!*
ENDING THOUGHTS
Pray for HIS WILL to be done. Seek and rest in His Presence. Pray for added strength and increased faith that will not fail! Pray for added measure to share the burden of others as they also suffer, as Jesus did, in The Garden of Gethsemane. Pray for the strength of others, through the Holy Spirit. Pray that we humbly receive because we KNOW and BELIEVE that we will always fall short without Him and HIS Strength. Receive His Grace and Mercy when you fall short and mess up. And give that same grace and mercy to others. All in Jesus’ Holy Name. AMEN.
Read my next blog where I expound on the poetic symmetry of The Garden of Gethsemane. CLICK HERE. And ENJOY the following songs that I HANDPICKED Just. For. You. (Gosh, don’t you just feel so darn special! *Silly face*). Love ya’ll. Peace!