Sermon given in Jerusalem - Luke 22:39-48

While we were in Israel, I was given the opportunity to discuss Jesus' time in the Garden of Gethsemane.  His time praying, his rebuking of the Disciples, and his betrayal by Judas.

As I tend to do, I took a different view upon this often addressed time.  The sermon was well received by our guide Mishi, who pulled me aside to discuss it in more detail.  He thanked me for taking a somewhat non-traditional view of these incidents and we had an interesting dialogue; discovering a great deal of common ground between us... myself a moderately conservative American Christian and he a fairly liberal Israeli Jew.  During our time in Israel, I found that my brief private conversations with Mishi were some of the most rewarding moments of the visit.

I apologize for the wind and the traffic noise in the video.  This message was delivered in a private garden just adjacent to the site believed to be the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus spent time with his Disciples and was of course betrayed.  Please take a listen and feel free to comment if you are so moved.

Be a blessing to someone today!

In Christ's Love & Grace,
Roy

Luke 22:39-48 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
Jesus Prays on the Mount of Olives
39 He came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives; and the disciples followed him. 40 When he reached the place, he said to them, “Pray that you may not come into the time of trial.”[a] 41 Then he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, knelt down, and prayed, 42 “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me; yet, not my will but yours be done.” [[43 Then an angel from heaven appeared to him and gave him strength. 44 In his anguish he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down on the ground.]][b] 45 When he got up from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping because of grief, 46 and he said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray that you may not come into the time of trial.”[c]

The Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus
47 While he was still speaking, suddenly a crowd came, and the one called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He approached Jesus to kiss him; 48 but Jesus said to him, “Judas, is it with a kiss that you are betraying the Son of Man?”

Footnotes:
a) Luke 22:40 Or into temptation
b) Luke 22:44 Other ancient authorities lack verses 43 and 44
c) Luke 22:46 Or into temptation

Matthew 27:3-5 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
The Suicide of Judas
3 When Judas, his betrayer, saw that Jesus[a] was condemned, he repented and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders. 4 He said, “I have sinned by betraying innocent[b] blood.” But they said, “What is that to us? See to it yourself.” 5 Throwing down the pieces of silver in the temple, he departed; and he went and hanged himself.

Footnotes:
a) Matthew 27:3 Gk he
b) Matthew 27:4 Other ancient authorities read righteous