Tuesday, March 15, 2022

Dark Night in Gethsemane – 14 March 2022, Anno Domini (In the Year of our Lord)

 


 

A

ND while he yet spake, behold a multitude, and he that was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them, and drew near unto Jesus to kiss him. 48 But Jesus said unto him, Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss? 49 When they which were about him saw what would follow, they said unto him, Lord, shall we smite with the sword? 50 And one of them smote the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear. 51 And Jesus answered and said, Suffer ye thus far. And he touched his ear, and healed him. 52 Then Jesus said unto the chief priests, and captains of the temple, and the elders, which were come to him, Be ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and staves? 53 When I was daily with you in the temple, ye stretched forth no hands against me: but this is your hour, and the power of darkness.  (Luke 22:47-53) 

 

            There are events of high impact associated with gardens in the Bible, but three such events stand out in stark contrast to our usual perceptions of the garden – the:

 

1.     Garden at Eden

2.     Garden at Gethsemane

3.     Garden of the Lord’s resurrection

 

The last two would not have happened had dogs of war and sin had not been let loose at Eden. Adam’s sin made the dark night in the Garden of Gethsemane necessary for our reconciliation to God. And even the second garden would have little significance without the resurrection from the Garden Tomb. The below is a poem I wrote a few years back to illustrate that dark night in the Garden:

 

Night in the Garden

 

Out of the darkest Halls of Hell 

Came the marchers with torches raised. 

Into the Garden quiet and still 

They wandered forlorn and crazed.

 

Up to the Sovereign Lord of Love 

Their spears shining bright in the mist 

With arrogant air and a hateful shove 

They took Him betrayed by a kiss. 

 

Now to the head of Scribe and Priest 

Was the Savior led that night, 

And to Herod's Court and Pilate's Seat 

Where Right gave way to the Night.   

 

To the craggy heights of the Lonely Skull 

They took Him and laid Him down 

And into His Hands of Love they drove 

Iron spikes with a terrible Sound! 

 

On His Brow a thorny Crown He wore 

And His flesh was torn and bruised. 

His Heart of Grace grew cold and sore 

As the Spirit of Life was loosed. 

 

The world of woe a Hope has found 

In the Promise made sure by His Death 

And the Saints of God with Faith abound 

In the Fields that their Lord has blessed!

 

            Perhaps the betrayal of Christ for thirty pieces of silver would be dwarfed by our own regular betrayal of the Lord, whose blood was shed for our sins, when we sin with such presumed impunity in disregard of that sacrifice?

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