PAPER 182 – IN GETHSEMANE

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Greetings Fellow Students, Forum Friends, Members and Visitors!

WELCOME to the OPAD presentation of Paper 182. It has three Sections and eight pages. 182 covers a few hours of the evening of April 6, 30 AD, during which Jesus gives final farewells to Andrew and others. He also sends a messenger to Abner and Lazarus so that they might hear of his death from him, not from the rumor mill. In this Paper we are told how the Master spent these last free hours, with Peter, John, James, as John Mark watches and listens nearby.

Jesus knows he is about to suffer the worst possible physical and emotional pain, and so he asks God his Father if this really and truly is his will. Jesus’ human side is plainly revealed in Paper 182.

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In the introduction, the Midwayers write:

 …Ever since that day in the hills, John Mark had made it his business to keep a watchful eye on Jesus…. ^{(1963.1)182:0.1}

They are referring to the day Jesus took Mark with him apart from the apostles, in Paper 177:

“…Since with all your heart you crave to go with me, it shall not be denied you. We will go off by ourselves and have a good visit. You may ask me any question that arises in your heart, and we will comfort and console each other….” ^{(1920.6)177:1.2}

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Our God incarnate has about 17 hours to live. At this point he determines finally and absolutely that it is indeed the Universal Father’s will that he die this gruesome death, that he ‘drink this bitter cup’. But during this evening’s unique events, an angel comes to him, touching and strengthening him, as his three weary apostles sleep.

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Overview of PAPER 182:In Gethsemane

1. The Last Group Prayer

2. Last Hour Before the Betrayal

3. Alone in Gethsemane

This group of papers [121-196] was sponsored by a commission of twelve Urantia midwayers acting under the supervision of a Melchizedek revelatory director. The basis of this narrative was supplied by a secondary midwayer who was onetime assigned to the superhuman watchcare of the Apostle Andrew.

Synopsis of Paper 182:

Late Thursday night Jesus led the eleven apostles back to camp where he asked them to kneel in a circle as he prayed. He asked God to help them and to keep them faithful until the Spirit of Truth arrived. “You gave me twelve men, and I have kept them all save one, the son of revenge, who would not have further fellowship 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 reverence you.” Jesus prayed for their strength and courage, and finished by saying, “This world knows very little of you, righteous Father, but I know you, and I have made you known to these believers, and they will make known your name to other generations. And now I promise them that you will be with them in the world even as you have been with me – even so.”

Jesus revealed God’s name to the world as never before. In revealing himself to Moses, all the Father could communicate was “I AM that I AM.” Jesus’ life enlarged the revelation of the name of God to all generations:

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 open door to eternal salvation.

I am the reality of endless life.

I am the good shepherd.

I am the pathway of infinite perfection.

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 infinite Father of my finite children.

I am the true vine; you are the branches.

I am the hope of all who know the living truth.

I am the living bridge from one world to another.

I am the living link between time and eternity.

As the apostles made their way back to camp they had a discussion about Judas. John Mark and David Zebedee told Jesus privately that they knew Judas intended to betray him to his enemies. Jesus asked them not to be troubled by it.

Before they retired, Simon Zelotes offered the apostles weapons. Each man took a sword except for Nathaniel, who pleaded with the others to remember that Jesus didn’t want them to use force to establish the kingdom of heaven. Nathaniel said he would pray but he would not arm himself. When Andrew heard Nathaniel’s speech he turned his sword back in. Nine men remained armed.

After the men went to their tents, Jesus requested a messenger from David. Jesus sent the messenger to Philadelphia to warn Abner of what was to come and to promise that Abner would see Jesus again shortly. Jesus also asked the chief of the visiting Greeks not to be disturbed about what was to take place.

None of the apostles expected anything to happen that evening; only David and John Mark realized that their Master’s enemies would come that very night.

David bade farewell to Jesus, saying, “Master, I have had great 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 shall miss you with all my heart when you are gone.” Jesus replied, “David, my son, others have done that which they were directed to do, but this service have you done of your own heart and I have not been unmindful of your devotion.”

Jesus withdrew with Peter, James, and John to a nearby ravine. His heart was heavy with sorrow. The trial Jesus faced appeared more appalling to him as the evening wore on. He was weary, and anxious for the safety of the apostles. Parting with his men was a great strain. The divine Jesus knew that he had done his best, but the human Jesus wished he could have done more.

Jesus desired that the three apostles keep him company as he prayed, but they kept falling asleep. Three times Jesus went aside to pray for assurance from his Father, and three times he returned to find his friends sleeping. During his prayers an angel came to strengthen him. Jesus was convinced that his Father was going to let events take their natural course.

Synopsis Source

WORD CLOUD OF PAPER 182

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Tomorrow’s reading is Section 1. The Last Group Prayer. The Master stops on the way back to the camp, the apostles form a circle as he prayers over and for them, at the same time giving the world 16 new names/ways the Father is revealed.

Listen to Paper 182: (click the speaker icon at the top of the page)

Thanks for reading. Members’ thoughts, reflections, insights, observations, comments, corrections and questions about today’s OPAD presentation are invited.

Much love, Rick/OPAD host.

 

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Good Day Alina, nelsong, Bonita, Bradly, Carola, Fellow Students, Forum Friends, Members and Guests,

What a sublime and divine image these words evoke:

…in full view of Jerusalem he bade them kneel on a large flat rock in a circle about him as they had done on the day of their ordination; and then, as he stood there in the midst of them glorified in the mellow moonlight, he lifted up his eyes toward heaven and prayed…. ^{(1963.4)182:1.2}

No doubt all Nebadon witnessed this prayerful scene on that fortunate rock!

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John Zebedee remembered and recorded some of this prayer in his Gospel statement, chapter 17:

1 These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee:

² As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.

³ And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

⁴ I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.

⁵ And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.

⁶ I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word.

⁷ Now they have known that all things whatsoever thou hast given me are of thee.

⁸ For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me.

⁹ I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.

¹⁰ And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them.

¹¹ And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.

¹² While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.

¹³ And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.

¹⁴ I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

¹⁵ I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.

¹⁶ They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

¹⁷ Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

¹⁸ As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.

¹⁹ And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.

²⁰ Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;

²¹ That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.

²² And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:

²³ I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.

²⁴ Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.

²⁵ O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me.

²⁶ And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.

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There are several paragraphs in the UB that reflect this statement from the Midwayers in today’s reading:

…Jesus prayed for unity among his followers, but he did not desire uniformity…. ^{(1965.2)182:1.8}

Here are two of them. From Paper 195:

…The true church — the Jesus brotherhood — is invisible, spiritual, and is characterized by unity, not necessarily by uniformity. Uniformity is the earmark of the physical world of mechanistic nature. Spiritual unity is the fruit of faith union with the living Jesus…. ^{(2085.3)195:10.11}

And from Paper 155:

…The religions of authority require of men uniformity in belief, but this is impossible of realization in the present state of the world. The religion of the spirit requires only unity of experience — uniformity of destiny — making full allowance for diversity of belief. The religion of the spirit requires only uniformity of insight, not uniformity of viewpoint and outlook. The religion of the spirit does not demand uniformity of intellectual views, only unity of spirit feeling…. ^{(1732.2)155:6.9}

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It was in the Old Testament book of Exodus that God spoke these words in today’s reading to Moses:

…The Father in heaven had sought to reveal himself to Moses, but he could proceed no further than to cause it to be said, “I AM.” And when pressed for further revelation of himself, it was only disclosed, “I AM that I AM….” ^{(1965.3)182:1.9}

From Exodus 3:

¹⁴ And God said unto Moses, I Am That I Am: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I Am hath sent me unto you.

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All of the 16 names of God listed in today’s reading appear elsewhere, in either or both the UB and the Bible:

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 open door to eternal salvation.

I am the reality of endless life.

I am the good shepherd.

I am the pathway of infinite perfection.

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 infinite Father of my finite children.

I am the true vine; you are the branches.

I am the hope of all who know the living truth.

I am the living bridge from one world to another.

I am the living link between time and eternity.

These are the Bible references (S = same, C = compare):

1965:29 182:01.10/01 I am the bread of life   John 06:35,48,51 – S

1965:30 182:01.10/02 I am the living water   John 04:10-14 – S

1965:30 182:01.10/02 I am the living water   John 07:37-38 – S

1965:31 182:01.10/03 I am the light of the world   John 01:09 – S

1965:31 182:01.10/03 I am the light of the world   John 08:12 – S

1965:31 182:01.10/03 I am the light of the world   John 09:05 – S

1965:31 182:01.10/03 I am the light of the world   John 12:46 – S

1965:32 182:01.10/04 I am the desire of all ages   Haggai 02:07 – C

1965:33 182:01.10/05 I am the open door to salvation   John 10:01-03,07.09 – S

1965:34 182:01.10/06 I am the reality of endless life   John 03:16-17,36 – S

1965:34 182:01.10/06 I am the reality of endless life   John 06:27,40 – S

1965:34 182:01.10/06 I am the reality of endless life   John 10:28-29 – S

1965:34 182:01.10/06 I am the reality of endless life   John 17:02-03 – S

1965:35 182:01.10/07 I am the good shepherd   John 10:11-16 – S

1965:35 182:01.10/07 I am the good shepherd   Hebrews 13:20 – S

1965:36 182:01.10/08 I am the pathway of perfection   Hebrews 07:09-17 – C

1965:37 182:01.10/09 I am the resurrection & the life   John 11:25 – S

1965:38 182:01.10/10 I am the secret of survival   Mark 10:29-30 – S

1965:38 182:01.10/10 I am the secret of survival   John 06:68 – S

1965:38 182:01.10/10 I am the secret of survival   Romans 06:23 – C

1965:39 182:01.10/11 I am the Way, Truth & Life   John 14:06 – S

1965:40 182:01.10/12 I am the Infinite Father of children   John 03:35-36 – S

1965:40 182:01.10/12 I am the Infinite Father of children   John 05:19-24 – S

1965:40 182:01.10/12 I am the Infinite Father of children   John 10:30 – S

1965:40 182:01.10/12 I am the Infinite Father of children   John 17:20-21 – S

1965:41 182:01.10/13 I am the vine, you are branches   John 15:01,05 – S

1965:42 182:01.10/14 I am the hope of all living truth   Colossians 01:27 – C

1965:42 182:01.10/14 I am the hope of all living truth 1 Thesslonians 02:19 – C

1965:42 182:01.10/14 I am the hope of all living truth 1 Timothy 01:01 – C

1965:42 182:01.10/14 I am the hope of all living truth   Titus 02:13 – C

 

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In tomorrow’s reading Section 2. Last Hour Before the Betrayal, the apostles finally realize Judas has turned against them, Jesus sends a messenger to Abner, he tells the Greeks not be disturbed by what is about to happen, he says his last words to Andrew and David Z, John Mark hides in the brush to watch the final event before the arrest, meanwhile Judas is finalizing his betrayal.

Master stops on the way back to the camp, the apostles form a circle as he prayers over and for them, at the same time giving the world 16 new names/ways the Father is revealed.

Overview of PAPER 182: In Gethsemane

1. The Last Group Prayer

2. Last Hour Before the Betrayal

3. Alone in Gethsemane

This group of papers [121-196] was sponsored by a commission of twelve Urantia midwayers acting under the supervision of a Melchizedek revelatory director. The basis of this narrative was supplied by a secondary midwayer who was onetime assigned to the superhuman watchcare of the Apostle Andrew.

Listen to Paper 182: (click the speaker icon at the top of the page)

Thanks for reading. Members’ thoughts, reflections, insights, observations, comments, corrections and questions about today’s OPAD presentation are invited.

Much love, Rick/OPAD host.

nelsong wrote:  …Just a little revelation to give some perspective.

 

A ‘little’, eh.

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Greetings nelsong, Alina, Bonita, Carolyn, Carola, Fellow Students, Forum Friends, Members and Visitors,

This line from Jesus in the first paragraph of today’s reading:

“…all things will work together for the glory of God and the salvation of men….” ^{(1966.2)182:2.2}

…appears in several other places. From the Divine Counselor in Paper 4:

“…We know that all things work together for good to those who love God,” “for the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayers….” ^(55.2)4:1.4

This iteration is from a Mighty Messenger in Paper 54:

…all things (including evil, potential and manifest) work together for good to all beings who know God, love to do his will…. ^{(616.6)54:4.7}

Also from a Mighty Messenger in Paper 118:

 …all things, be they good or evil, work together for the advancement of God-knowing mortals in their quest for the Father of all…. ^{(1306.7)118:10.18}

The only Biblical appearance is in the New Testament book of Romans, chapter 8:

²⁸ And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

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Jesus in today’s reading:

…The cheerful attitude of Jesus was waning…he called to Peter, James, and John, saying, “I desire that you remain with me for a little while….” ^{(1966.2)182:2.2}

From Matthew 26:

³⁷ And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy.

From Mark 14:

³³ And he taketh with him Peter and James and John, and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy;

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At least two of the eleven followed their Master’s wishes regarding arms:

…When Andrew heard Nathaniel’s speech, he handed his sword back to Simon Zelotes…. ^{(1966.3)182:2.3}

And it might well be said of the “most fleet” Jacob: ‘he ran with an angel’s protection’ (or was it a Midwayer?):

“…Fear not what any man may do to you, Jacob, for this night an unseen messenger will run by your side….” ^{(1966.5)182:2.5}

The recipients of the message Jacob delivered must have been simultaneously gratified, comforted and grievously torn. Surely they wished with all their hearts to be in Jerusalem near him. Soon enough tho, he would come to them, and to the Greeks. The Master’s appearances before these two groups are recorded in:

Paper 190 4. Appearance to the Greeks

Paper 191 4. The Tenth Appearance (At Philadelphia)

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David Z earned everyone’s respect by uncomplainingly doing that which needed doing, even before being asked. What a hero that one. Jesus acknowledges his contribution so well in a few words. They bear repeating:

“…others have done that which they were directed to do, but this service have you done of your own heart, and I have not been unmindful of your devotion. You, too, shall some day serve with me in the eternal kingdom….” ^{(1967.5)182:2.10}

Such devotion brings a tear to the eye. Some might suggest he was rewarded right here on Urantia, when he became the husband of Jesus’ baby sister Ruth.

John Mark was another self motivated and devoted server. And no human becomes more well informed about all that is about to happen on this evening with his three sleepy apostles in Gethsemane park. Mark must have realized Jesus needed no guard or warning, so leaving his assigned post was not detrimental:

…when John Mark observed Jesus withdraw, with Peter, James, and John, into a near-by ravine, he was so overcome with combined devotion and curiosity that he forsook his sentinel post and followed after them, hiding himself in the bushes, from which place he saw and overheard all that transpired…. ^{(1967.7)182:2.12}

All this is going on as the betrayer plots his monumentally nefarious deed:

…Judas Iscariot was in conference with the captain of the temple guards…. ^{(1968.1)182:2.13}

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Tomorrow’s reading, Section 3. Alone in Gethsemane, has the details of that most touching story of a God-man in his last hours before an extremely unjust trial, and an excruciatingly cruel death. The whole celestial universe is looking on. So is John Mark, but Peter, John and James fade in and out of this unique scenario in which a Creator Son in the flesh confirms God’s will and an angel descends to strengthen him to carry thru, to do that thing which God would, by necessity, have him do.

IMAGE SOURCE

Overview of PAPER 182:In Gethsemane

1. The Last Group Prayer

2. Last Hour Before the Betrayal

3. Alone in Gethsemane

This group of papers [121-196] was sponsored by a commission of twelve Urantia midwayers acting under the supervision of a Melchizedek revelatory director. The basis of this narrative was supplied by a secondary midwayer who was onetime assigned to the superhuman watchcare of the Apostle Andrew.

Listen to Paper 182: (click the speaker icon at the top of the page)

Thanks for reading. Members’ thoughts, reflections, insights, observations, comments, corrections and questions about today’s OPAD presentation are invited.

Much love, Rick/OPAD host.

nelsong wrote:

“Fear not what any man may do to you, Jacob, for this night an unseen messenger will run by your side.” Thinking about the reason for this forewarning, it was important enough to give superhuman protection to the messenger of this message – were all who would see the Master resurrected also forewarned?

 

Evidently not.

You reckon it may have been normal and usual to encounter trouble makers or robbers watching for loners on that route to old Philadephia during the night hours? Jesus would have known, which could have been his reason for giving assurance. Just speculating.

nelsong wrote:

…So you think the protection was more for Jacob’s person as opposed to the message he carried. Jacob still had things to accomplish I suppose, it was not his time yet.

 

Seems like it. And even if the message didn’t get thru, he will appear before the intended recipients in five days. They’d just have to suffer the rumors and possibly deal with doubt.

It was thoughtful of him to consider the feelings of his Philadelphia exiles and believers. But then he surely wanted no doubt to be seeded about the “kingdom” at this crucial moment. That he couldn’t save himself quickly must have become the mantra of the people, post-death. No doubt his enemies loved that! For a few days.

Welcome to The OPAD Online Study Session

Today’s Presentation

Paper 182 – IN GETHSEMANE

3. Alone in Gethsemane

    After all was still and quiet about the camp, Jesus, taking Peter, James, and John, went a short way up a near-by ravine where he had often before gone to pray and commune. The three apostles could not help recognizing that he was grievously oppressed; never before had they observed their Master to be so heavy-laden and sorrowful. When they arrived at the place of his devotions, he bade the three sit down and watch with him while he went off about a stone’s throw to pray. And when he had fallen down on his face, he prayed: “My Father, I came into this world to do your will, and so have I. I know that the hour has come to lay down this life in the flesh, and I do not shrink therefrom, 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.”

^{(1968.3)182:3.2} The Master remained in a prayerful attitude for a few moments, and then, going over to the three apostles, he found them sound asleep, for their eyes were heavy and they could not remain awake. As Jesus awoke them, he said: “What! can you not watch with me even for one hour? Cannot you see that my soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death, and that I crave your companionship?” After the three had aroused from their slumber, the Master again went apart by himself and, falling down on the ground, again prayed: “Father, I know 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 would drink it if it is your will.” And when he had thus prayed, a mighty angel came down by his side and, speaking to him, touched him and strengthened him.

^{(1968.4)182:3.3} When Jesus returned to speak with the three apostles, he again found them fast asleep. He awakened them, saying: “In such an hour I need that you should watch and pray with me — all the more do you need to pray that you enter not into temptation — wherefore do you fall asleep when I leave you?”

^{(1968.5)182:3.4} And then, for a third time, the Master withdrew and prayed: “Father, you see my sleeping apostles; have mercy upon them. The spirit is indeed willing, but the flesh is weak. And now, O Father, if this cup may not pass, then would I drink it. Not my will, but yours, be done.” And when he had finished praying, he lay for a moment prostrate on the ground. When he arose and went back to his apostles, once more he found them asleep. He surveyed them and, with a pitying gesture, tenderly said: “Sleep on now and take your rest; the time of decision is past. The hour is now upon us wherein the Son of Man will be betrayed into the hands of his enemies.” As he reached down to shake them that he might awaken them, he said: “Arise, let us be going back to the camp, for, behold, he who betrays me is at hand, and the hour has come when my flock shall be scattered. But I have already told you about these things.”

^{(1968.6)182:3.5} During the years that Jesus lived among his followers, they did, indeed, have much proof of his divine nature, but just now are they about to witness new evidences of his humanity. Just before the greatest of all the revelations of his divinity, his resurrection, must now come the greatest proofs of his mortal nature, his humiliation and crucifixion.

^{(1969.1)182:3.6} Each time he prayed in the garden, his humanity laid a firmer faith-hold upon his divinity; his human will more completely became one with the divine will of his Father. Among other words spoken to him by the mighty angel was the message that the Father desired his Son to finish his earth bestowal by passing through the creature experience of death just as all mortal creatures must experience material dissolution in passing from the existence of time into the progression of eternity.

^{(1969.2)182:3.7} Earlier in the evening it had not seemed so difficult to drink the cup, but as the human Jesus bade farewell to his apostles and sent them to their rest, the trial grew more appalling. Jesus experienced that natural ebb and flow of feeling which is common to all human experience, and just now he was weary from work, exhausted from the long hours of strenuous labor and painful anxiety concerning the safety of his apostles. While no mortal can presume to understand the thoughts and feelings of the incarnate Son of God at such a time as this, we know that he endured great anguish and suffered untold sorrow, for the perspiration rolled off his face in great drops. He was at last convinced that the Father intended to allow natural events to take their course; he was fully determined to employ none of his sovereign power as the supreme head of a universe to save himself.

^{(1969.3)182:3.8} The assembled hosts of a vast creation are now hovered over this scene under the transient joint command of Gabriel and the Personalized Adjuster of Jesus. The division commanders of these armies of heaven have repeatedly been warned not to interfere with these transactions on earth unless Jesus himself should order them to intervene.

^{(1969.4)182:3.9} The experience of parting with the apostles was a great strain on the human heart of Jesus; this sorrow of love bore down on him and made it more difficult to face such a death as he well knew awaited him. He realized how weak and how ignorant his apostles were, and he dreaded to leave them. He well knew that the time of his departure had come, but his human heart longed to find out whether there might not possibly be some legitimate avenue of escape from this terrible plight of suffering and sorrow. And when it had thus sought escape, and failed, it was willing to drink the cup. The divine mind of Michael knew he had done his best for the twelve apostles; but the human heart of Jesus wished that more might have been done for them before they should be left alone in the world. Jesus’ heart was being crushed; he truly loved his brethren. He was isolated from his family in the flesh; one of his chosen associates was betraying him. His father Joseph’s people had rejected him and thereby sealed their doom as a people with a special mission on earth. His soul was tortured by baffled love and rejected mercy. It was just one of those awful human moments when everything seems to bear down with crushing cruelty and terrible agony.

^{(1969.5)182:3.10} Jesus’ humanity was not insensible to this situation of private loneliness, public shame, and the appearance of the failure of his cause. All these sentiments bore down on him with indescribable heaviness. In this great sorrow his mind went back to the days of his childhood in Nazareth and to his early work in Galilee. At the time of this great trial there came up in his mind many of those pleasant scenes of his earthly ministry. And it was from these old memories of Nazareth, Capernaum, Mount Hermon, and of the sunrise and sunset on the shimmering Sea of Galilee, that he soothed himself as he made his human heart strong and ready to encounter the traitor who should so soon betray him.

^{(1970.1)182:3.11} Before Judas and the soldiers arrived, the Master had fully regained his customary poise; the spirit had triumphed over the flesh; faith had asserted itself over all human tendencies to fear or entertain 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 equanimity and in the full assurance of his invincibility as a mortal man unreservedly dedicated to the doing of his Father’s will.

 

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