Lent 2025 Day 29: Mon 7 Apr
Matthew 26:42-56
42 He went away a second time and prayed, ‘My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.’
43 When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. 44 So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing.
45 Then he returned to the disciples and said to them, ‘Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour has come, and the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. 46 Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!’
Jesus arrested
47 While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people. 48 Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: ‘The one I kiss is the man; arrest him.’ 49 Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, ‘Greetings, Rabbi!’ and kissed him.
50 Jesus replied, ‘Do what you came for, friend.’
Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him. 51 With that, one of Jesus’ companions reached for his sword, drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.
52 ‘Put your sword back in its place,’ Jesus said to him, ‘for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. 53 Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? 54 But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?’
55 In that hour Jesus said to the crowd, ‘Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I sat in the temple courts teaching, and you did not arrest me. 56 But this has all taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled.’ Then all the disciples deserted him and fled.
Sleeping, this is how we are often found (whether literally or metaphorically) by big, life-altering events. When we look back at ourselves or others who have been “asleep”, it is very easy to reproach the mistake with the benefit of hindsight. Jesus warns us about being “asleep”, but other times it is in sleep that the will of God is manifested, dreams and visions.
Was it wrong for the Disciples to be asleep, or was it providential? We know that Peter’s first reaction at discovering Jesus being arrested is to unsheathe his sword and strike, what if the Twelve had been keeping watch? Perhaps a fight would have ensued, much as Judas might have been expecting (day 23). Or maybe their sleep was necessary so that Christ could overcome this last temptation, without the stumbling-block disciples trying to talk him out of his mission (Matthew 16:23).
Then, we might learn two things from this text. First, as the early Church was fond of repeating, we know that by disarming Peter Jesus has taken away the use of force away from the Christian’s repertoire (Tertullian): we cannot hasten the coming of God’s kingdom by violence, our lot is to pray and live both as within and without the world, as ambassador of the kingdom that both has come and is coming.
Secondly, we need not always blame ourselves for being “asleep”, as later it might be revealed that it was the right thing for us to do: being watchful might mean knowing when it is right to wake, and when it is right to sleep. Are these teachings easy? Not at all, but discipleship is an ongoing walk, so challenges are to be expected.
Lord, teach us to be watchful for You, but teach us also to rest and let You take the lead.
1:53:23 Können Tränen meiner Wangen (Arie)
52. Aria A (Chorus II)
If the tears on my cheeks
can do nothing,
Oh, then take my heart as well!
Yet let it be, in the flow,
as the wounds gently bleed,
the offering-bowl as well.
53a. Evangelist Then the soldiers of the Governor took Jesus with them into the courthouse and gathered around him the entire troop; and undressed him and put a purple mantle on him; and they wove a crown of thorns and set it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand, and they bowed before him and mocked him, saying:
Ends at 2:01:22
Paul