September 25 Daily Devotional

Matthew 26; Mark 14; Luke 22

When Jesus had spoken these words, he went forth, as his custom was, with his disciples over the brook Cedron, to the mount of Olives. And Jesus said unto them, “All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad. But Peter answered and said unto him, Although all shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended. Jesus said to him, Verily, I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples.

“Then cometh Jesus with them into a place called Gethsemane, a familiar garden, where Jesus and his disciples had often been before. And Jesus said to his disciples, “Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder. And he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation. And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, James and John. And he began to be very sorrowful and very heavy. Then saith he unto them, my soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me. And he withdrew from them about a stone’s cast, and knelt down and prayed, saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine be done. And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What! could ye not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. He went away again the second time, saying, O Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done. And he came and found them asleep again; for their eyes were heavy. And he left them, and went away again, and prayed for the third time, saying the same words. And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him. And being in agony, he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground. Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest; behold the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray me.”