It was late evening hour...
The sky turned from pale grey to a deeper grey and then to a charcoal black. Numerous,tiny stars became visible , twinkling dimly in the dark sky.
On the slopes of the Mount Olives, there was a lush garden , called Gethsemane. It was an olive grove, but some fig trees and vines and few date palms, could also be found growing there.
A cool, gentle breeze blew, softly brushing the lavender bushes, spread at the foot of Mount olives, also carrying its light fragrance in the air.
In the deep silence of the garden, some distance away from his beloved disciples, Peter, James and John. At a secluded corner, beneath one of the trees, 'Yeshua' knelt.
His handsome, noble features were visible in the moonlight. His face upturned , gazing towards the heavens. And his lips fervently moving in supplication.
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(image credits: www. inhousepic.com)
The dreadful weight of sins, of the entire human race , with its horrors of shame and guilt , overwhelmed Yeshua. And, the terrible sufferings and death , that was approaching nearer to him,
pressed him hard, with anxiety and fear.
His appearance became pale and downcast. Soon, his forehead and his dark long hairs were damp by prespiration. And then, the huge drops of sweat changed to the crimson color of blood and began rolling down from his brows , to his cheeks and fell unto the soil.
It was the darkest night for Yeshua's soul. Yeshua looked vulnerable , his soul inflicted by anguish and deep apprehension.
He began praying even more earnestly . Drops of blood , mingled with sweat, still sliding down Yeshua's face, unto the ground.
He stretched his arms , and facing the heavens , cried out. "Father, if thou be willing" , he lowered his voice , his eyes wet with tears, he continued, "Remove this cup of suffering from me"
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And at that moment, from the shadows appeared a dark figure , gruesome, with a evil glint in eyes.
He walked towards Yeshua , and leaning close to his ears, he hissed , in a low, enticing voice, ''What a pity! Why must the Son of God suffer , for the foolish race of men? Sheer waste! They will never honour , your sacrifice. ''
He paused to read the fears on Yeshua's face , then added, "They are transgressors, wicked, lovers only of themselves. They do not deserve ,the love of Yehovah. "
His eyes , set fixed on Yeshua , studying him intently , and his mind calculated further malice. This was Satan's last desperate bid to defeat the Divine plan of Salvation.
Yeshua watched him . In Silence.
Satan drew closer to Yeshua, his countenance much fierce and evil, "Yeshua, the Son of God, soon to be mocked, beaten and killed, by his own creatures" - he gave a mean laugh.
"What is Man, even lower than the Angels, that you will, to die for them?" - he spat and ridiculed.
Yeshua lowered his head, and remained silent
The conflict was terrible , but he remained unmoved.
He disregarded Satan, and lifted his eyes,gazing again towards the heavens, at the dimly lit, silent night sky.
"Nevertheless, not my will Father, but thine , be done" -Yeshua spoke , softly yet firmly.
And the dark figure vanished , fuming with rage.
Then, slowly , the thick , white mist began to surround him . And the Archangel Gabriel appeared, gleaming a radiant white, and wrapped his wings gently around Yeshua, the Beloved Son of God, the Darling of Heaven .
The heavenly presence, brought the strength and courage of heaven.
Strengthening the weak and anguished soul of Yeshua........
Strengthening his heart....
Strengthening his mind....
"Not my will Father, but thine be done" - he mumbled again, with eyes closed in supplication.
"Not my will, but thine" - Yeshua repeated to himself. And stood up, appearing much calm, assured and resolute, and indeed eager to perform the Plan of Salvation.
"Man of sorrows, Lamb of God
By his own betrayed
The Sin of Man and Wrath of God
Has been on Jesus laid
Silent as he stood accused
Beaten, mocked and scorned
Bowing to the Father's will
He took a crown of thorns
Oh that rugged cross
My Salvation....
Where your love poured out over me
Now my soul cries out
Hallelujah...
Praise and Honor unto thee...
(words from song "Man of Sorrows" by Hillsong)
By--Sybil Samuel
************************************************************************************
Footnote::
1) "The Agony in Gethsemane" is a creative work of imagination, inspired from the gospel of Luke( chapter 22, verses 39-44)
2) 'Yeshua' also the hebrew (late biblical hebrew) name of Jesus, is used in the story. For information related to Hebrew name of Jesus , check the Wikipedia.
The sky turned from pale grey to a deeper grey and then to a charcoal black. Numerous,tiny stars became visible , twinkling dimly in the dark sky.
On the slopes of the Mount Olives, there was a lush garden , called Gethsemane. It was an olive grove, but some fig trees and vines and few date palms, could also be found growing there.
A cool, gentle breeze blew, softly brushing the lavender bushes, spread at the foot of Mount olives, also carrying its light fragrance in the air.
In the deep silence of the garden, some distance away from his beloved disciples, Peter, James and John. At a secluded corner, beneath one of the trees, 'Yeshua' knelt.
His handsome, noble features were visible in the moonlight. His face upturned , gazing towards the heavens. And his lips fervently moving in supplication.
The dreadful weight of sins, of the entire human race , with its horrors of shame and guilt , overwhelmed Yeshua. And, the terrible sufferings and death , that was approaching nearer to him,
pressed him hard, with anxiety and fear.
His appearance became pale and downcast. Soon, his forehead and his dark long hairs were damp by prespiration. And then, the huge drops of sweat changed to the crimson color of blood and began rolling down from his brows , to his cheeks and fell unto the soil.
It was the darkest night for Yeshua's soul. Yeshua looked vulnerable , his soul inflicted by anguish and deep apprehension.
He began praying even more earnestly . Drops of blood , mingled with sweat, still sliding down Yeshua's face, unto the ground.
He stretched his arms , and facing the heavens , cried out. "Father, if thou be willing" , he lowered his voice , his eyes wet with tears, he continued, "Remove this cup of suffering from me"
And at that moment, from the shadows appeared a dark figure , gruesome, with a evil glint in eyes.
He walked towards Yeshua , and leaning close to his ears, he hissed , in a low, enticing voice, ''What a pity! Why must the Son of God suffer , for the foolish race of men? Sheer waste! They will never honour , your sacrifice. ''
He paused to read the fears on Yeshua's face , then added, "They are transgressors, wicked, lovers only of themselves. They do not deserve ,the love of Yehovah. "
His eyes , set fixed on Yeshua , studying him intently , and his mind calculated further malice. This was Satan's last desperate bid to defeat the Divine plan of Salvation.
Yeshua watched him . In Silence.
Satan drew closer to Yeshua, his countenance much fierce and evil, "Yeshua, the Son of God, soon to be mocked, beaten and killed, by his own creatures" - he gave a mean laugh.
"What is Man, even lower than the Angels, that you will, to die for them?" - he spat and ridiculed.
Yeshua lowered his head, and remained silent
The conflict was terrible , but he remained unmoved.
He disregarded Satan, and lifted his eyes,gazing again towards the heavens, at the dimly lit, silent night sky.
"Nevertheless, not my will Father, but thine , be done" -Yeshua spoke , softly yet firmly.
And the dark figure vanished , fuming with rage.
Then, slowly , the thick , white mist began to surround him . And the Archangel Gabriel appeared, gleaming a radiant white, and wrapped his wings gently around Yeshua, the Beloved Son of God, the Darling of Heaven .
The heavenly presence, brought the strength and courage of heaven.
Strengthening the weak and anguished soul of Yeshua........
Strengthening his heart....
Strengthening his mind....
"Not my will Father, but thine be done" - he mumbled again, with eyes closed in supplication.
"Not my will, but thine" - Yeshua repeated to himself. And stood up, appearing much calm, assured and resolute, and indeed eager to perform the Plan of Salvation.
"Man of sorrows, Lamb of God
By his own betrayed
The Sin of Man and Wrath of God
Has been on Jesus laid
Silent as he stood accused
Beaten, mocked and scorned
Bowing to the Father's will
He took a crown of thorns
Oh that rugged cross
My Salvation....
Where your love poured out over me
Now my soul cries out
Hallelujah...
Praise and Honor unto thee...
(words from song "Man of Sorrows" by Hillsong)
By--Sybil Samuel
************************************************************************************
Footnote::
1) "The Agony in Gethsemane" is a creative work of imagination, inspired from the gospel of Luke( chapter 22, verses 39-44)
2) 'Yeshua' also the hebrew (late biblical hebrew) name of Jesus, is used in the story. For information related to Hebrew name of Jesus , check the Wikipedia.
