Full Gospel: Luke 22:14-23:56
Passage from the Gospel – April 13, 2025
“Then going out, he went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him. When he arrived at the place he said to them, ‘Pray that you may not undergo the test.’ After withdrawing about a stone’s throw from them and kneeling, he prayed, saying, ‘Father, if you are willing, take this cup away from me; still, not my will but yours be done.’ And to strengthen him an angel from heaven appeared to him. He was in such agony and he prayed so fervently that his sweat became like drops of blood falling on the ground. When he rose from prayer and returned to his disciples, he found them sleeping from grief. He said to them, ‘Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray that you may not undergo the test.’
While he was still speaking, a crowd approached and in front was one of the Twelve, a man named Judas. He went up to Jesus to kiss him. Jesus said to him, ‘Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?'”
(Luke 22:39-48)
On Palm Sunday, we read the entire account of Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem, the Last Supper, His agony in the Garden of Gethsemane, and His Passion. As God, Jesus saw very clearly what was coming. For others around Jesus, it may have seemed like He was invincible as he rode into Jerusalem on a colt, His path lined with cloaks and palm leaves.
“‘Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord. Peace in heaven and glory in the highest.'” (Luke 19:38)
That was what the multitudes of His disciples proclaimed as He approached the Mount of Olives. Truly, this is the Messiah!
But Jesus did not come to free the Jewish people of their earthly oppressors. His kingdom is not of this world. God had another, much grander plan to save us from our sins and from death. To accomplish this plan, Jesus had to accept the will of his Father. He had to let Judas betray Him. He had to let the Pharisees shackle His wrists, beat Him, and spit on Him. He had to let the Romans scourge Him, adorn His head with a crown of thorns, nail Him to a cross, and cast lots for His garments. But the greatest burden He bore was not physical at all. He bore the past, present, and future sins of the whole world. He accepted them all, carried them to the cross, and died so that He might set us free from them.
Jesus’ agony over the temptation to avoid this suffering became so intense that His sweat became like drops of blood. So great was His agony that His Father sent an angel to comfort and strengthen Him. According to tradition, this angel was the Archangel Chamuel, the angel of peaceful relationships.
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A priest once dreamt that he met this angel who comforted Jesus during His agony. In his dream, he asked the angel, “What did you say to Jesus to console Him that night?” The angel responded, “I talked to Him about you…”
The crucifixion of Jesus was not an execution but a sacrifice. Jesus willingly, selflessly, and lovingly sacrificed Himself so that He could redeem you and me, fallen creatures that hardly deserve redemption. How many times have we abandoned Jesus, denied Him, or run and hid when He called on us?
This Holy Week, Jesus, let me not fall asleep. Let me not deny knowing You. Let me stand by Your side and walk with You. Let me comfort You and strengthen You.
