In the Garden of Gethsemane: Peter?s Tale
by Brian OHallaron
I always will remember the agony and torment that occurred only a few hours before my Lord?s betrayal and crucifixion. He had led us along a path to discipleship across our world and changed who we were with His message. But now, he was powerless to stop the consequences of being not one of this world.
I couldn?t understand why a man who could bring Lazarus back from the dead could not even ward off a mere mob of Pharisees. It seemed as though Jesus was not even averse to being taken-However, I saw things through different eyes. Attempting to protect him, I brought down my sword on the ear of the high priest?s servant and served it. Strangely, this act seemed to alarm Jesus who was about to suffer a fate far worse than the servants. My Lord ordered me to put away my sword lest my violence be met with the violence of others. Then he went so far as to heal the ear of the servant! At that point, I began to realize that Jesus intended to respond to this in a way that was different than the way I was.
Jesus was taken to the temple. And though the others had deserted him, I shadowed Jesus and his captors at a wary distance. It was just as I had foretold, I would be the only apostle brave enough to stay with Jesus. Jesus had doubted my assertion and said that before the cock crowed twice, I would have denied him three times. Standing in the temple yard, I felt that Jesus had been wrong.
The truth of Jesus? prediction unfortunately came true when I was confronted about my relationship with Him. Thrice I was questioned about my relationship with Jesus and each time I denied knowing Him. I was frightened and I thought I might suffer the same fate as He if I told the truth. My heart filled with shame as I remembered Jesus? prediction when the cock crowed the second time. I fled in shame as Jesus bound was led to his final trial.
