Matthew 26:36 Jesus came to Gethsemane

"Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane"
These are just a few words--just a few words, but what an image they portray.

Mom bought me a new set of scriptures for Christmas so I've been going through the New Testament and marking the new set. I've been looking at my current set of scriptures and have transferred some of the markings/notes. I've written in a few JST changes that aren't in the footnotes. I've prayed to be taught by the Spirit.

This morning I started working on Matthew 26. Early in the chapter Jesus told his disciples he would be betrayed and crucified in two days (v. 2). Of course they had no idea what he was talking about. Then we read of Mary anointing Jesus with expensive ointment. Verse 8 says the disciples were indignant, saying it was wasteful to use such expensive ointment in such a way. Then it says that Judas met with the High Priests to make a deal with them to betray Jesus into their hands (v. 14-15). Other Gospel writers help us see the connection between these two events. John identifies Judas as the one who made the comment about the wasteful use of the ointment. John wrily explains that Judas couldn't care less about the poor but "was a theif and had the bag," money bag that is. Apparently Judas kept track of their money--an interesting job for Jesus to give him, and sometimes he dipped into the funds. John goes on to say that it was because Judas who was rebuked by Jesus when he said they would always have poor to help He wouldn't always be with them. then John also writes that Judas went to the High Priests to betray Jesus. Mark helps us see the connection between these two events. Mark 14:10 says Judas met with the High Priests to betray Jesus. Then the JST adds a change that didn't make it into the footnotes: "for he turned away from him, and was offended because of his words." This helps us understand the connection between Jesus' rebuke of Judas and Judas betraying the Savior (see also Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, 67). Judas was offended. We're reminded of a recent talk by Elder Bednar about the choice we have to be offended or not. Sometimes we need to be rebuked by the Savior or one of His representatives. It takes spiritual "guts" to take it and to learn from it and to move forward rather than backward.

Then the Last Supper. Judas leaves (John 13:21-30) and Jesus institutes the sacrament. The JST adds an important principle, that the emblems don't actually become the body and blood of the Savior but are in "remembrance" of His indescribable sacrifice. Peter vows to always be loyal to Jesus. Jesus foretells Peter's denials. Then they go to Gethsemane.

What a wonderful treasure these verses are! How they made it down to us through 2,000 years when the devil would have gladly erased them is a miracle! Each word carries so much meaning and evokes deep feelings of reverence, awe, and gratitude. I don't think I'll say much about them. They need to be read quietly, reverently, and with a prayer in our heart to understand them; to somehow begin to fathom what happened here when the Savior of the world did what only He could do in this most important moment in time. I bear witness that these words are true! I'm grateful for the Savior's gift of the Atonement. Words can't say how I feel.

I'm grateful we're studying the New Testament this year. I'm grateful for the opportunity to drink daily from its pages. I'm grateful to be taught and uplifted by the Spirit as I do so.