“Then He [Jesus] said to them, ‘My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me.’ 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.’ Then He came to the disciples and found them asleep, and said to Peter, ‘What, could you not watch with Me one hour? Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.’ He went away again a second time and prayed, saying, ‘O My Father, if this cup cannot pass away from Me unless I drink it, Your will be done.’ And He came and found them asleep again, for their eyes were heavy. So He left them, went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words. 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. Rise, let us be going. See, he who betrays Me is at hand.’” Matthew 26:38-46.

The Lord Jesus was sorrowful, even to death, I know we have all been there; even praying for death itself, yet He either has or will deliver us from such depths. I have seen this, even felt it. Still, we know that whether our answers come soon or late, we are not alone.

“For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:15-16.

“…could you not watch with Me one hour? Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Matthew 26:40b-41.

When we stand before Jesus Christ in heaven, life here will seem as if it were one hour; we must all ask ourselves how we should spend that hour.

“And now, little children [Christians], abide in Him [Jesus], that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming.” 1 John 2:28.

Not all of us can be another Billy Graham, but we are all empowered in Christ to make a difference in this world.

We must not use the excuse that we waited for something great to do for God, but He never gave us the opportunity. Scripture tells us that whatever we find at hand to do it with all our might.

“Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going [earthly service is done].” Ecclesiastes 9:10.

Reach your hands over your head, to your sides, straight out in front of you; how far is that away from you? Is it too far?

You want to write a book someday, but you can keep a Bible journal, send letters or encouraging e-mails today to missionaries or the housebound.

You want to feed the hungry or be a missionary, yet the rescue mission can always use canned food, dry goods or volunteers.

You want to preach to millions, yet you can start a Bible study or support those who already have one.

You want to help the needy or the widow, as an accountant, you can help with their taxes or organize their finances.

As a carpenter, you can help repair their porch, a painter can help paint their house, and a plumber can fix their sink.

All these things are at your fingertips, and they may even be things that you enjoy doing while teaching someone a skill, or just doing it yourself.

If you cannot do the little things for God, why will He give you great things?

“He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much. Therefore if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon [riches], who will commit to your trust the true riches?” Luke 16:10-11.

“And Judas, who betrayed Him, also knew the place; for Jesus often met there with His disciples. Then Judas, having received a detachment of troops, and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, came there with lanterns, torches, and weapons. Jesus therefore, knowing all things that would come upon Him, went forward and said to them, ‘Whom are you seeking?’ They answered Him, ‘Jesus of Nazareth.’ Jesus said to them, ‘I am He.’ And Judas, who betrayed Him, also stood with them. Then – when He said to them, ‘I am He,’ – they drew back and fell to the ground. Then He asked them again, ‘Whom are you seeking?’ And they said, ‘Jesus of Nazareth.’ Jesus answered, ‘I have told you that I am He. Therefore, if you seek Me, let these go their way,’ that the saying might be fulfilled which He spoke, ‘Of those whom You gave Me I have lost none.’” John 18:2-9.

Do not miss three important things here. “Jesus therefore, knowing all things that would come upon Him…” the Lord did not walk into this thing thinking, “My goodness what could this lynch mob be wanting this time of night? Perhaps if I just talk to them, they will calm down.”

No, He knew about the mock trial, the spittings, beating, flogging, crown of thorns, and being nailed to a cross for six hours to pay for the sin of the world.

Jesus was not a helpless victim dragged off against His will.

“…He said to them, ‘I am He,’ – they drew back and fell to the ground.” What this means is that when He said, “I am He”, they were all knocked flat, this was not a voluntary response.

They were knocked down by the name of God, for the words “I AM” is the name that God gave to Moses to identify Him to the Israelites.

“Then Moses said to God, ‘Indeed, when I come to the children of Israel and say to them, “The God of your fathers has sent me to you,” and they say to me, “What is His name?” what shall I say to them?’ And God said to Moses, ‘I AM WHO I AM.’ And He said, ‘Thus you shall say to children of Israel, “I AM has sent me to you.”’” Exodus 3:13-14.

“…if you seek Me, let these go their way…” after having been knocked flat, these men were in no position to argue with the Lord, even though Peter cut off the ear of the high priest’s servant.

There is power in the blood of Christ, there is power in the name of Christ, what other name is abused as a swear word, Buddha, Mohammed, Allah? No, only the name which is above every name is sworn by or blessed by.

There is no reason to degrade those names, because they mean nothing, but Satan wants the name of Christ degraded, ground into the mud, and made a mockery.

“Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:9-11.

“Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved [from eternal separation from God, hell].” Acts 4:12.

If He is just a prophet, or a good, but deluded man, or a fraud who faked his own death, what difference does He make, why do atheists have apoplectic fits at His name? Who cares?

But He is what He is, and no amount of wishful thinking is going to change an immutable fact.

Death of a King, Part 1 taken from godisrevealed.com posted on 9-16-15 updated on 12-29-23.

Scripture taken from the New King James Version, copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission, all rights reserved.