Page:Jesus of Nazareth the story of His life simply told (1917).djvu/338

 they too might come and be with Him. After this they said a hymn and went out. It was late, but the moon was flooding the City with light. The Temple roof was one sheet of silver. They crossed the brook Cedron, and began to go up the Mount of Olives.

And Jesus said to them: "You will all be scandalized in Me this night, for it is written: 'I will strike the shepherd and the sheep shall be scattered.' But after I shall be risen again, I will go before you into Galilee."

Peter said to Him: "Although all shall be scandalized in Thee, yet not I."

Jesus said to him: "Amen, amen, I say to thee, to-day, even in this night, before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny Me thrice."

But he spoke the more vehemently: "Although I should die together with Thee, I will not deny Thee."

And in like manner also said they all."

A few paces above the brook was a garden called Gethsemane. It was a quiet place, and our Lord often went there to pray; sometimes He spent the whole night in prayer beneath the olive trees. On this night He left eight of the Apostles at the gate, and took inside only Peter, James and John.

"My soul is sorrowful even unto death," He said to these three, and He begged them like good and faithful friends not to leave Him alone in His trouble, but to watch and pray with Him.

Bright moonlight lit up the Garden, but beneath the trees all was dark and gloomy. Our Lord went forward alone and knelt down. Presently He fell on His face and prayed in an agony of terror that He might be spared the awful sufferings that were at hand.