The Night of Gethsemane

He had been to the garden before.

The disciples knew the place. Judas knew it too.

He took Peter and James and John a little way in.

He told them his soul was sorrowful, even to death.

Stay here and watch, he said.

Then he went further still.

He fell on the ground.

He prayed.

He said: Abba, Father. All things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me.

Then: Not what I will, but what you will.

He came back. The disciples were asleep.

He asked Peter: Could you not watch one hour?

He went away again and prayed the same prayer.

Came back. They were asleep again. Their eyes were heavy.

He went away a third time.

Luke adds something the other accounts do not.

He says an angel appeared from heaven, strengthening him.

And being in agony, he prayed more earnestly.

And his sweat became like great drops of blood falling to the ground.

The medical term is hematidrosis. A rare condition where extreme anguish causes blood to seep through the sweat glands.

He sweat blood in a garden at night.

Alone, because his disciples couldn't stay awake.

Strengthened by an angel.

And still he rose.

He came to his disciples and said: Rise. Let us be going.

He had made his choice in that garden.

In agony. In blood. In the night.

Before anyone came for him.

The decision was made before the arrest.

The cup had not been removed.

And he was ready.

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