Ch. 61, In Gethsemane
“Son of Man: Urantia,” 2nd edition
In Gethsemane
As Jesus and the apostles ate their last supper together upstairs at Elijah and Mary Mark’s house, John Mark napped below. When he heard them preparing to leave at about ten o’clock he threw on a linin coat and followed them through the city, over the Kidron brook, and on to their private camp next to Gethsemane Park. John Mark remained so close to Jesus throughout this night and the next day that he witnessed everything and overheard much of what Jesus said from this time to the hour of the crucifixion.
On the walk back to their camp at Gethsemane the apostles started asking one another where Judas had gone. They recalled Jesus’ comments that one of them was going to betray him, and for the first time they started to wonder if all was well with their friend. But no one said anything until they got back to the camp and realized that Judas was not there waiting for them. They went to Andrew and questioned him, but their former chief only replied “I do not know where Judas is, but I fear he has deserted us.”
The Last Group Prayer
On arriving at the camp Jesus said “My friends, my time with you is now short. I want us to go aside by ourselves to pray to our Father: we need strength to sustain us through this hour and the rest of the work we will do in his name.” Jesus then led them a short distance up Olivet where, on a large flat rock in full view of Jerusalem he asked them to kneel like they had done on the day of their ordination. Standing tall in the middle of his adoring apostles, Jesus, radiant in the mellow moonlight lifted his eyes to heaven and prayed “Father my hour has come; now glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you. I know that you have given me full authority over all living creatures in my realm, and I will give eternal life to all who will become faith sons of God. This is eternal life, that my creatures should know you as the only true God and Father of all, and that they should believe in him that you sent into the world. Father I have uplifted you on Earth and I have accomplished the work that you gave me to do. I have almost finished my gift on the children of our own creation: there only remains for me to lay down my life in the flesh. And now O my Father, glorify me with the glory I had with you before this world was, and receive me once more at your right hand.’
“I have shown you to the men that you chose from the world and gave to me. They are yours—as all life is in your hands—you gave them to me and I have lived among them teaching them the way of life and they have believed. These men are learning that all I have comes from you, and that the life I live in the flesh is to make known my Father to the worlds. The truth that you have given to me I have revealed to them. These my friends and ambassadors have sincerely wanted to receive your word. I have told them that I came forth from you, that you sent me into this world, and that I am about to return to you. Father I do pray for these chosen men. I pray for them not as I would pray for the world but as for those that I have chosen out of the world to represent me to the world after I have returned to your work, even as I have represented you in this world during my time in the flesh. These men are mine: you gave them to me. But all things that are mine are ever yours, and all that was yours you have now caused to be mine. You have been uplifted in me, and I pray now that I may be honored in these men. I can no longer be in this world; I am about to return to the work you have given me to do. I must leave these men behind to represent us and our kingdom among humanity. Father, keep these men faithful as I prepare to yield up my life in the flesh. Help these, my friends, to be one in spirit even as we are one. As long as I could be with them I could watch over them and guide them, but now I am about to go away. Be near them Father, until we can send the new teacher to comfort and strengthen them.’
“You gave me twelve men and I have kept them all save one, the son of revenge, who would not have further friendship with us. These men are weak and frail but I know we can trust them: I have proved them; they love me even as they revere you. While they must suffer much for my sake, I want them to also be filled with the joy of the assurance of sonship in the heavenly kingdom. I have given these men your word and have taught them the truth. The world may hate them even as it has hated me; I do not ask that you take them out of the world, only that you keep them from the evil in the world. Purify them in the truth: your word is truth. Like you sent me into this world, I am about to send these men into the world. For their sakes I have lived among people, and I have devoted my life to your service so that I could inspire them to be purified through the truth that I have taught them and the love that I have revealed to them. I well know, my Father, that there is no need for me to ask you to watch over these friends after I have gone; I know you love them even as I do, but I do this so that they may better realize the Father loves humanity even like the Son does.”
“And now my Father, I pray not only for these eleven men but also for all others who now believe or who may later believe the gospel through their future ministry. I want them all to be one, even as you and I are one. You are in me and I am in you, and I want that these believers are also in us; that both of our spirits dwell inside of them. If my children are one as we are one, and if they love one another as I have loved them, all people will then believe that I came forth from you and be willing to receive the revelation of truth and glory that I have made. The glory that you gave me I have revealed to these believers. As you have lived with me in the spirit, so I have lived with them in the flesh. As you have been one with me so I have been one with them, and so will the new teacher ever be one with them and in them. All of this I have done so that my friends in the flesh can know that the Father loves them like the Son does, and that you love them even as you love me. Father, work with me to save these believers so that they can soon come to be with me in glory, and then go on to join you in the Paradise embrace. Those who serve with me in humiliation I would have with me in glory so that they may see all that you have given into my hands as the eternal harvest of sowing the seeds of time in the likeness of mortal flesh. I long to show my earthly friends the glory I had with you before creating this world. This world knows little of you, righteous Father, but I know you and I have made you known to these believers, and they will make your name known to other generations. Now I promise them that you will be with them in the world even as you have been with me.” The eleven remained kneeling around Jesus for several minutes before they stood up and in silence made their way back to camp.
Jesus prayed for unity among his followers, but he did not desire uniformity. Sin creates a dead level of evil inertia, but righteousness nourishes the creative spirit of individual experience in the living realities of eternal truth and in the progressive relationship of the divine spirits of the Father and the Son. In the spiritual fellowship of the believer-son with the divine Father, there is no place for church rules or a dogmatic belief in the superiority of the group.
During this final prayer with his apostles Jesus suggested that he had shown the Father’s name to the world. That is exactly what he did by revealing God through his perfected life in the flesh. The Father in heaven had tried to reveal himself to Moses, but he could do no more than to cause it to be said “I AM.” When pressed for further revelation of himself it was only disclosed, “I AM, that I AM.” But when Jesus had finished his life on Earth this name of the Father had been so revealed that Jesus—who was the Father incarnate—could truly say I am the good shepherd; I am the bread of life; I am the living water; I am the light of the world; I am the desire of all ages; I am the reality of endless life; I am the resurrection and the life; I am the secret of eternal survival; I am the way, the truth, and the life; I am the open door to eternal salvation; I am the pathway of infinite perfection; I am the true vine and you are the branches; I am the hope of all who know the living truth; I am the infinite Father of my finite children; I am the living link between time and eternity, and I am the living bridge from one world to another. In this way Jesus enlarged the living revelation of God’s name to all generations. As divine love reveals the nature of God, eternal truth reveals his name in ever-enlarging proportions.
Last Hour Before the Betrayal
The apostles were shocked when they returned to their camp and found Judas absent. While the eleven were having a heated discussion about their traitorous fellow apostle, John Mark and David Zebedee took Jesus to one side and told him that they had been watching Judas for several days and that they knew he intended to betray Jesus to his enemies. Jesus only said “My friends, nothing can happen to the Son of Man unless the Father in heaven so wills. Do not let your hearts be troubled; all things will work together for the glory of God and the salvation of humanity.”
Jesus’ cheerful attitude was fading. As the hour passed he grew increasingly serious, even sad. The apostles were agitated and unwilling to return to their tents even after they had been asked to do so by Jesus himself. Returning from his talk with John and David, Jesus spoke his last words to all eleven apostles together, saying “My friends, go to your rest. Prepare yourselves for tomorrow’s work. Remember we should all submit ourselves to the will of the Father in heaven. My peace I leave with you.” Jesus then motioned for them to go to their tents, except for John, James, and Peter whom he asked to stay with him for a little while.
The only reason the apostles fell asleep was that they were literally exhausted: they had been running short on rest ever since their arrival in Jerusalem. Before they went to their separate tents for the night, Simon Zelotes led them all over to his tent where he had stored the swords and other arms to supply each of them with weapons. All of the apostles took a sword and put it on, except Nathaniel. Refusing to arm himself, Nathaniel said “My friends, the Master has repeatedly told us that his kingdom is not of this world, and that we are not to bring it about with the sword. I believe this; I do not think the Master needs to have us to fight in his defense. We have all seen his mighty power and know that he could defend himself against his enemies if he so desired. If he will not resist his enemies, it must be his attempt to fulfill his Father’s will. I will pray, but I will not lift the sword.” Andrew was the only one swayed by Nathaniel’s words, and he handed his sword back to Simon Zelotes. As they separated for the night, nine of them were armed. Resentment over Judas being the traitor overshadowed everything else in the apostles’ minds: they were now sure that he had abandoned them.
After the eight apostles had gone to their tents, Jesus went to David Zebedee and told him to summon his fastest and most trustworthy messenger. This man was Jacob, and he had once been a runner on the overnight messenger service between Jerusalem and Bethsaida. Jesus said “As fast as you can go to Abner in Philadelphia and say ‘The Master sends greetings of peace to you, and says that the hour has come when he will be delivered into the hands of his enemies who will put him to death. But he will arise from the dead and soon appear to you before he goes to the Father, and that he will then guide you until the time when the new teacher comes to live in your hearts.’”
After Jacob had rehearsed this message to Jesus’ satisfaction, Jesus sent him on his way saying “Do not fear what any man may do to you Jacob, because tonight an unseen messenger will be running by your side.”
Jesus turned to the chief of the visiting Greeks who were camped with them, and said “My brothers, do not be disturbed by what is about to take place: I have already forewarned you. The Son of Man will be put to death at the urging of his enemies, the chief priests and Jewish rulers, but I will arise to be with you for a short time before I go to the Father. When you have seen all of this come to pass, glorify God and strengthen your friends.”
In ordinary circumstances the apostles would have said good night to Jesus in person, but this evening they were so preoccupied with the sudden realization of Judas’ desertion and so overcome by the unusual nature of Jesus’ farewell prayer that they all just went away in silence. But Jesus did instruct Andrew as he left him that night, saying “Andrew do what you can to keep your friends together until after I have drunk this cup and come back to you. Strengthen your friends seeing that I have already told you everything. Peace be with you.”
Since it was already so late in the night none of the apostles expected anything out of the ordinary to happen until morning. They wanted sleep so they could get up early and be prepared for what was to come. They thought that the Sanhedrin would try to apprehend Jesus before noon, because no secular work was ever done after noon on the day that they prepared for the Passover. Only John Mark and David Zebedee realized that Judas and Jesus’ enemies were coming that night.
David’s plan was to stand guard on the upper trail that led to the Bethany-Jerusalem road, while John Mark was to watch the road coming up by the Kidron to Gethsemane. Before David went to his self-imposed task he took leave of Jesus saying “Master, I have had immense joy in my service with you. My brothers are your apostles but I have delighted to do the lesser things as they should be done, and I will miss you with all my heart when you are gone.”
Jesus replied “David my son, others have done what they were directed to do but this service you have done of your own heart, and I have not been unaware of your devotion. You too will someday serve with me in the eternal kingdom.”
Before he left to stand guard David said “You know Master, I sent for your family and I have word by a messenger that they are in Jericho tonight. They will be here early tomorrow before noon, since it would be dangerous for them to travel the bloody way by night.”
Jesus only replied “Let it be so, David.”
After David left and went to his guard site on Olivet, John Mark took up his watch near the road that ran by the brook down to Jerusalem. John would have remained at his post but his intense desire to be near Jesus and to know what was happening was stronger. When John Mark saw Jesus go into a nearby ravine with John, James, and Peter he was so overcome with combined devotion and curiosity that he followed after them and then hid in the bushes. From his hiding place John Mark overheard all that occurred during those last moments in the garden just before Judas and the armed guards appeared to arrest Jesus.
While all this was happening at Jesus’ camp, Judas Iscariot was meeting with the captain of the temple guards who was ready to set out with the betrayer to arrest Jesus.
Alone in Gethsemane
After the camp was quiet Jesus led John, James, and Peter a short way up a nearby ravine to where in the past he had often gone to pray. The three apostles could not help seeing that he was grievously oppressed: never before had they seen their Master so sad and overwhelmed. Jesus asked the apostles to sit down and watch with him, and he went off about a stone’s throw to talk with his Father. Jesus prayed “My Father, I came into this world to do your will and so I have. I know that the hour has come to lay down this life in the flesh and I do not shrink from this, but I would know that it is your will that I drink this cup. Send me the assurance that I will please you in my death even as I have in my life.”
Returning to the three apostles, Jesus found them sound asleep: their eyes had been heavy and they could not stay awake. After waking them Jesus said “What! Can you not watch with me even for one hour? Can you not see that my soul is exceedingly sad, even to death, and that I crave your companionship?”
Again Jesus went apart by himself and falling down on the ground prayed “Father, I know that it is possible to avoid this cup—all things are possible with you—but I have come to do your will, and while this is a bitter cup I will drink it if it is indeed your will.” After Jesus prayed a mighty angel came down to his side, spoke to him, touched him, and strengthened him.
When Jesus returned to talk with the three apostles they were again fast asleep. After waking them, he said “In such an hour I need you to pray and watch with me—all the more you need to pray that you do not enter into temptation—why do you fall asleep when I leave you?”
For a third time Jesus went aside; he prayed “Father, you see my sleeping apostles: have mercy on them. The spirit is indeed willing but the flesh is weak. And now, O Father, if this cup will not pass then I will drink it. Not my will, but yours be done.”
Once more Jesus returned to find John, James, and Peter sound asleep. Looking at them with pity Jesus tenderly said “Sleep on now and take your rest; the time of decision is past. The hour is now on us where the Son of Man will be betrayed into his enemies hands.”
As Jesus reached down to wake them, he said “Get up, let us go back to the camp because he who betrays me is at hand, and the hour has come when my flock will be scattered. But I have already told you about these things.”
During the years that Jesus lived among his followers they had seen proof of his divine nature, but now they were about to witness new evidence of his humanity. Just before the most significant revelation of his divinity, his resurrection, will now come the absolute proof of his mortal nature—his humiliation and death by crucifixion.
Each time Jesus prayed in the garden his humanity laid a firmer hold on his divinity: his human will more completely became one with the divine will of his Father. Among other things spoken to him by the mighty angel was the message that the Father wanted his Son to finish his gift to Earth by passing through the creature experience of dying, just like all humans must experience material dissolution in passing from time and space into the progression of eternity.
Earlier in the evening it had not seemed so difficult to drink the cup, but as the human Jesus was saying farewell to his apostles and sending them to their rest the trial grew more horrifying. Jesus experienced that natural ebb and flow of feelings that is common to all human experience, and he was exhausted from the long hours of painful anxiety and strenuous labor concerning the safety of his apostles. While no mortal can presume to understand the feelings and thoughts of the incarnate Son of God at a time like this, we know that he endured intense anguish and suffered untold sadness because the sweat rolled off of his face in huge drops. Jesus was at last convinced that the Father intended to allow natural events to take their course; he was determined to use none of his sovereign power as the supreme head of a universe to save himself.
The assembled hosts of a vast creation that were hovering over this scene were under the momentary joint command of Gabriel and Jesus’ Personalized Adjuster. The division commanders of these heavenly armies had repeatedly been warned not to interfere with what was happening on Earth unless Jesus himself should order them to intervene.
The experience of parting with the apostles strained Jesus’ human heart; this sadness bore down on him and made it more difficult to face the death awaiting him. Jesus realized how weak and how ignorant his apostles were, and he dreaded to leave them alone. He well knew that the time of his departure had come, but his human heart longed to find out whether there may be some legitimate avenue of escape from this terrible plight of sadness and suffering. After Jesus’ heart had sought escape and failed, it was willing to drink the cup. Michael’s divine mind knew that he had done his best for the twelve apostles, but Jesus’ human heart wished that more could have been done for them before they were to be left alone in the world. Jesus’ heart was being crushed: he truly loved his friends. His soul was tortured by baffled love, and rejected mercy; his father Joseph’s people had rejected him, and thereby sealed their doom as a people with a special mission on Earth; he was isolated from his family in the flesh, and one of his chosen associates was betraying him. All in all, it was one of those awful human moments when everything seemed to bear down with terrible agony and overwhelming cruelty.
Jesus’ humanity was not insensible to the public shame, private loneliness, and apparent failure of his cause. All of these sentiments bore down on him with indescribable heaviness. In this extreme sadness his mind went back to the days of his childhood in Nazareth and to his early work in Galilee. At the time of this horrendous trial there arose in his memory many of those pleasant scenes of his earthly ministry. It was from these old memories of Nazareth, Capernaum, Mount Hermon, and the sunrise and sunset on the shimmering Sea of Galilee that he soothed himself as he strengthened his human heart to encounter the traitor soon to betray him.
Jesus regained his customary poise before Judas and the soldiers arrived: the spirit had triumphed over the flesh, and faith had asserted itself over all human tendencies to fear or doubt. The supreme test of the full realization of the human nature had been met and acceptably passed. Once more the Son of Man was prepared to face his enemies with poise and with the full assurance of his invincibility as a mortal unreservedly dedicated to doing his Father’s will.