Final Prayers

Final Prayers
John 18:1

1 When Jesus [Iesous] had spoken [epo] these words [tauta] , he went forth [exerchomai] with [sun] his [autos] disciples [mathetes] over [peran] the brook [cheimarrhos] Cedron [Kedron] , where [hopou] was [en] a garden [kepos] , into [eis] the which [hos] he [autos] entered [eiserchomai] , and [kai] his [autos] disciples [mathetes] . KJV-Interlinear

1 When Jesus had spoken these words, He went forth with His disciples over the ravine of the Kidron, where there was a garden, into which He Himself entered, and His disciples. NASB

Jesus has finished speaking to the apostles. He has finished praying a prayer within their hearing. For such is the work of a priest, to teach, to pray, and finally to offer sacrifice.

Now He crossed over the brook Cedron, the black brook. This brook has a significant history through the centuries.

David was run out of Jerusalem, in his flight from Absalom. In so doing he passed through the brook, weeping and all that went with him were in tears for their city, Jerusalem, the city of peace, was under assault by rebellious Israelites who rejected his leadership and rule over them, 2 Sam. 15-30. His passing over the brook was a black day for him. It was a retreat in humiliation.

Some of the godly kings of Judah discovered and destroyed idols they found at the brook, Asa, 2 Chron. 15:16, Hezekiah, 2 Chron. 30:14, and Josiah, 2 Kg 23:4,6. Into the brook the abominable things were thrown. So too, Jesus will walk through the brook into which the abominable were cast. He will be made sin for us. The lowest of the low. His suffering will begin on the east of Jerusalem and the Mt. of Olives, and will be finished on the west of Jerusalem on Mt. Calvary.

In a garden Adam fell from grace, and in a garden Jesus will be arrested, laid to rest, and then He will arise in triumphant victory.

Though not mentioned, but Psa. 110:7 seems to apply as well, 'for He shall drink of the brook in the way. Though this does not means to literally drink, but He must pass through the brook which lay in the path of His work on the Cross and on from their to His final glory.

Jesus has been teaching the apostles what to expect and how to overcome the events that lay ahead. He has made preparations for their preservation and protection, and has given assurances that they will succeed in life regardless of their failures. This all applies to every believer who perseveres in their advance in their spiritual life.

In contrast the elders and priests and scribes of Judea, who presumably are the protectors of the Word of God, are preparing not for the benefit of those whom they should be teaching, the masses of people, but have been preparing to destroy that which is their only means of deliverance from this life. They perceive Jesus as a threat and feel it is their duty to rid mankind of Him. They feel in a strange way, that they are doing God a favor. An illusion which will in fact destroy them, and save mankind.

Jesus and His disciples went to the Garden of Gethsemane.

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