Matthew 26:39 “My Father, if it is possible, take this cup of suffering away from me. But let what you want be done, not what I want.”

 

Before they were to leave for today’s trip in the Time Machine, SATTAR had A.J. and Milo sit down.

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“We need to pray,” SATTAR said. “The next couple of days will be rough.”

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“You mean a rough ride in the Time Machine, SATTAR?” A.J. asked.

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“No, I mean they will be difficult days for Jesus on his journey to the cross. He will see all his friends abandon him and worse, God will turn his face away from Jesus when all the sin of the world is put upon him. We will need strength.”

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So, SATTAR, A.J. and Milo bowed their heads as they prayed to ask God for strength to witness what they were about to see. Then they loaded themselves up in the Time Machine. Destination: the Garden of Gethsemane at the foot of the Mount of Olives. Jesus and his disciples had finished their last supper together and were now spending their own time in prayer before Jesus had to suffer. At least Jesus was praying!

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Jesus said to his disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him. He began to be sad and troubled. Then he said to them, “My soul is very sad. I feel close to death. Stay here. Keep watch with me.”

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Jesus went a little farther. Then he fell with his face to the ground. He prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, take this cup of suffering away from me. But let what you want be done, not what I want.”

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Then Jesus returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter.  “Watch and pray. Then you won’t fall into sin when you are tempted.”

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Jesus went away a second time. He prayed, “My Father, is it possible for this cup to be taken away? But if I must drink it, may what you want be done.”

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Then he came back. Again, Jesus found the disciples sleeping. They couldn’t keep their eyes open. So, he left them and went away once more. For the third time he prayed the same thing.

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Then he returned to the disciples. He said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Look! The hour has come. The Son of Man is about to be handed over to sinners. Get up! Let us go! Here comes the one who is handing me over to them!”

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While Jesus was still speaking, Judas arrived. Judas was the disciple that took 30 pieces of silver as payment to betray Jesus. A large crowd was with Judas. They were carrying swords and clubs. The chief priests and the elders of the people had sent them. Judas showed the men who Jesus was.

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Then the men stepped forward. They grabbed Jesus and arrested him. 

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Those who had arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas, the high priest. The teachers of the law and the elders had come together there. The chief priests were looking for something to use against Jesus. They wanted to put him to death. But they did not find any proof, even though many false witnesses came forward.

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The high priest said to him, “I am commanding you in the name of the living God. May he judge you if you don’t tell the truth. Tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.”

“You have said so,” Jesus replied.

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Then the high priest tore his clothes. He said, “He has spoken a very evil thing against God! Why do we need any more witnesses? You have heard him say this evil thing. What do you think?”

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“He must die!” they answered.

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Then they spit in his face. They hit him with their fists. Others slapped him. They said, “Prophesy to us, Messiah! Who hit you?”

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“Oh, SATTAR! How can they treat Jesus like that? After all the good he has done for the people.” Milo and A.J. were upset.

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“Sometimes people want to hand on to their sin so much that they completely ignore God’s love for them. But as we will see tomorrow, God never gives up on them.”

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Today’s Easter Message For You!

Jesus came to die for the sinner!