Ever thought of Jesus and His walk from the Passover meal to praying in the Garden of Gethsemane? Ever thought what those last hours were like before the military troop came to arrest Him? From being surrounded by His disciples, to washing feet, to a walk across the Brook Kidron and gather for a last time in prayer, to be surrounded by those who were hardened against Him, still the miraculous occurred!
Now they say that in Jesus' time there was a bridge over the Brook Kidron, but am thinking it was not like the bridges they had built in the twentieth century. What would it have been like to cross over that bridge if the brook was really flooding?
Has anyone ever thought of the significance of what previously had been done by others in that area of the Kidron Brook? What would play out when Jesus took the last walk to pray there and then be "crucified"?
John 18:1-2.........18:1 When Jesus had spoken these words, He went out with His disciples over the Brook Kidron, where there was a garden, which He and His disciples entered. 2 And Judas, who betrayed Him, also knew the place; for Jesus often met there with His disciples. NKJV
Jesus had been in Jerusalem for the Feast of Passover. After He has His last meal with the disciples and washes their feet, He goes to the Garden of Gethsemane. Interesting truth is that at the time Jesus went from Jerusalem to the Garden, He had to cross the Brook Kidron. Although it was generally dry in the summer, in the winter it was always rain-swollen. The seasonal heavy rains would cause the water to run turbid, and dark. It was a rapid moving river and probably out of it's banks. Rains could hit the high areas around Jerusalem and cause a flood of the low-lying areas.
Yes, it was no walk in the park. This Brook now looked like the raging river, out of it's banks and was moving with a great force! It was probably dark outside as well. Not sure they took a light of any kind with them. No, there were no flashlights handy! (commentaries mention it was probably the 10th or 11th hour at night)
Could the brook have been a raging river and covered the "bridge" at the time Jesus walked with His disciples to the Garden of Gethsemane?
The most interesting thing of where Jesus walked in the time of the Passover was something that would remind Him of the cup He was about to drink. Found this all interesting some years ago in preparing to give a Bible Study on the Garden of Gethsemane.
In light of the sacrifices of the lambs for the ritual held, from where Jesus walked out of Jerusalem and down to the torrent fierce waters of the Brook Kidron, He would have seen the blood of all those lambs ( some list it as 250,000 lambs) as it drained down from the altar area to just outside the Temple mount. This ritual would continue till all those lambs had been sacrificed. Now the blood would drain down the steep side of the Temple mount and color the whole hillside soil with a red color.
In crossing the Kidron Brook, Jesus was crossing the area that was noted by historians as the place some notable kings like Josiah, Hezekiah, and Asa burned idols and those objects of worship to pagan gods. It was even noted that one king's mother (Asa's) had idols of the Asherah and the king burned them in fire. (see 1 Kings 15:13) Whatever the idol worship that was in the Temple, these reformers took and burned outside in the Kidron valley. ( see 2 Kings 23:4-12 and 2 Chronicles 29:16, 2 Chronicles 30:14)
Interesting that Jesus walked through the place that had such a history of that which defiled, was destroyed and burned to be mixed as dust with the earth. Were we not taken from the earth as dust and created?
Genesis 2:7.................7 And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being. NKJV
Anything that takes our time from God as in worshiping Him, is considered an idol. Whether it is in objects like cell phones, I-Pads, texting, or how about SUV's, how about camping, or fishing equipment? How about all that new furniture? How about that nice "boat" for weekend use? How about houses or a sport's hero?? How about that nice "expensive bike" for touring the hills? Even people who like fame and importance is idolatry. Did we not see it when Jesus spoke of the Pharisees? Do we have it, or does "it" have us? Anything that captures our attention for hours can become an idol. How about a five hour or so football game, week after long week? Mine is watching too many black and white movies from the 40's and 50's. I have to put a limit to how much I watch!
Ephesians 5:5-10...........5 You can be sure of this: The Kingdom of Christ and of God will never belong to anyone who is impure or greedy, for a greedy person is really an idol worshiper-he loves and worships the good things of this life more than God. 6 Don't be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the terrible wrath of God is upon all those who do them. 7 Don't even associate with such people. 8 For though once your heart was full of darkness, now it is full of light from the Lord, and your behavior should show it! 9 Because of this light within you, you should do only what is good and right and true.
10 Learn as you go along what pleases the Lord. TLB
His deliberate walk through this brook in its most fierce time, seeing the blood of all those lambs sacrificed, and being reminded of what awaited His mission to the Cross probably caused some distress within Him. Turbulent indeed, chaos, no doubt, but tribulation awaited Him and it was going to have the seal of a kiss by a betrayer.
Mark 14:22-33............22 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them and said, "Take, eat; this is My body." 23 Then He took the cup, and when He had given thanks He gave it to them, and they all drank from it. 24 And He said to them, "This is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many. 25 Assuredly, I say to you, I will no longer drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God." 26 And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
27 Then Jesus said to them, "All of you will be made to stumble because of Me this night, for it is written:
'I will strike the Shepherd,
And the sheep will be scattered.'
28 "But after I have been raised, I will go before you to Galilee." 29 Peter said to Him, "Even if all are made to stumble, yet I will not be." 30 Jesus said to him, "Assuredly, I say to you that today, even this night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times." 31 But he spoke more vehemently, "If I have to die with You, I will not deny You!" And they all said likewise.
32 Then they came to a place which was named Gethsemane; and He said to His disciples, "Sit here while I pray." 33 And He took Peter, James, and John with Him, and He began to be troubled and deeply distressed. NKJV
Matthew 26:37-46............ 38 Then He said to them, "My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me." 39 He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, "O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will." 40 Then He came to the disciples and found them asleep, and said to Peter, "What? Could you not watch with Me one hour? 41 Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." 42 Again, a second time, He went away and prayed, saying, "O My Father, if this cup cannot pass away from Me unless I drink it, Your will be done." 43 And He came and found them asleep again, for their eyes were heavy. 44 So He left them, went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words. 45 Then He came to His disciples and said to them, "Are you still sleeping and resting? Behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46 Rise, let us be going. See, My betrayer is at hand." NKJV
Luke 22:48-53...........48 But Jesus said to him, "Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?" 49 When those around Him saw what was going to happen, they said to Him, "Lord, shall we strike with the sword?" 50 And one of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear. 51 But Jesus answered and said, "Permit even this." And He touched his ear and healed him. 52 Then Jesus said to the chief priests, captains of the temple, and the elders who had come to Him, "Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs? 53 When I was with you daily in the temple, you did not try to seize Me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness."
NKJV
Proverbs 27:6........6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend,
But the kisses of an enemy are deceitful. NKJV
Jesus was saying, violate me Judas with a kiss.....??.....betrayal was now in the form of the deceit, a crime against Jesus Himself. Even though coming like a friend, the true witness was one that was "betrayal" disguised as affection. Jesus knew Judas' heart! What Judas held in his heart had nothing to do about the good for another person.
Ever been betrayed by someone you thought really cared about you and your welfare? Jesus certainly was, and yet Jesus knew who the Betrayer would be. He knew ahead of time who would betray Him. For those who profess and confess to be our friends and even be a part of the Body of Christ, we too, can see betrayers and give a kiss of pretense as to honor, but actually gives a blow to kindness and love. That kind of betrayal will knock you off your feet and throw you to the ground. If the friendship was coming to an end, this would be the ultimate blow to end it, right?
Yet, Jesus continued to love and forgive. In light of all the treachery, Jesus saw a young man lose his ear, and Jesus healed it right there in front of this barrage of insult from those who came to arrest Him.
Jesus spoke in verse 52, "Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs? Verse 53..."When I was with you daily in the temple, you did not try to seize Me. But this is your hour, and power of darkness."
Like the raging river He crossed, He also experienced it in those who came with Judas. Judas came to assail, to make haste in seeing Jesus captured. But in reality, these men saw the power of God. Jesus healed in seconds the man whose ear had been cut off. These men also saw the mercy and goodness of Jesus. He rendered good for evil. But if anything was evident at the time, it was that these men's hearts were hardened.
Jesus went willingly with them. He spoke no evil. He gave no defense. He showed humility in those of His disciples when He washed their feet. He showed His willingness to pray. He went the distance it took and what great lengths He took to show His caring heart for others!
What He saw in that raging Kidron Brook, He also experienced in dealing with the lives of those who came to seize Him.
What Great Lengths He walked, to the very last, he demonstrated His great love in relationships for those for whom He came to save.
Can we do as much, to forgive even being given that kiss of betrayal? Can we forgive and move forward in life understanding Jesus gave the price for those who show no mercy?
Jesus was not relying on political means to bring about the spiritual ends He came to deliver to us. That love He displayed always exalts God, causes commitments to be made, and to never waiver at any insults, any display of contention against us, or whatever the enemy may be directing toward us. Always remember if God be for you, then who can be against you?
Lamentations 3:22-24......22 The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases,
his mercies never come to an end;
23 they are new every morning;
great is thy faithfulness.
24 "The LORD is my portion," says my soul,
"therefore I will hope in him." RSV
His mercies are new every morning. Even if we think we have used up the entire portion of His mercies toward us, yet there is a new mercy every morning.
Gethsemane or the "olive press" is the place where we all come to at some point in our lives. Like Jesus we can be surrounded by friends, those we teach, those we call friend and even those who know us only by name. Jesus had those who walked a little further to pray with Him, but in truth Jesus prayed for Himself, being hard pressed on all sides, that the Father's will be done in His life.
Luke 22:39.......39 Coming out, He went to the Mount of Olives, as He was accustomed, and His disciples also followed Him. NKJV
This was a part of Jesus' regular routine, as the above verse states: ....as He was accustomed....and His disciples also followed Him. He set time to be away from the city, and to pray. Separate from the city, He found His peace in prayer to His Father. Judas, the betrayer, even knew where to find Jesus after the Last Supper. He knew that Jesus had taken the disciples to pray. Judas knew Jesus so well, that he could count on where Jesus would be after the Last Supper.
Are we set to walk the "great lengths" Jesus walked? Can we be found praying with our husband, our children, or with those few in the "church body"? When that "temptation" comes and a betrayer can be found, will we be getting to that place of prayer no matter the condition of the Brook Kidron and if it is running at its highest level? Will someone have to text to find out where we are at and what we are doing? Will it matter that those present have hardened hearts against us? For we certainly saw the miraculous that Jesus performed in restoring the man's ear and His choice to go willingly knowing He had touched God's heart in prayer!
Father, thank YOU for the gift of
Your Son Jesus to us………You are holy, worthy and mighty…..we give YOU our praise
and honor YOU our God! Thank You for Your mercies that are new every morning. It is You Who destined us to be a part of Your family.
You spent much time pulling this together for Your glory. We are thankful today
for the precious shed Blood of Jesus Christ. I pray today for families to be
strengthened in and through YOU. Today, I ask protection for those who guard
their ways in holiness toward You and Your Son. I pray that all who read this
and pray will submit to that wisdom from above that begins with a holy life and
is characterized by getting along with others. It is gentle, reasonable,
overflowing with mercy and blessings, not hot one day and cold the next, not
two-faced. Help each of us to be Your instruments that will develop a community
that lives right with You. Help
us to gather as families and communicate Your love to others. May we grow in
grace being submitted to Your plan for the family and community that will be of
love, respect and honor to others. Remind
us daily to put others first and above what we are doing. We set these
priorities in place to be followers of Jesus and not R-rated movies. We choose
to align ourselves with Your Word that speaks and directs us to the Kingdom of
God that is endless, blessed, and active. Now thanks be to YOU, Father Who always causes us to
triumph in Christ Jesus. Amen.
You can also visit my Youtube channel The Voice of Prayer for more teaching at http://bit.ly/1tNyBhV
That's awesome! Never knew there was so much to a brook. Just goes to show that every verse in the Bible has meaning, even verses I normally think are just historical.
ReplyDelete