Questioning the Gospels
Luke 22:39-51
How did Luke know what Jesus prayed to the Father on the Mount of Olives?
Photo by Vadym Alyekseyenko on Unsplash
He came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives; and the disciples followed him. When he reached the place, he said to them, "Pray that you may not come into the time of trial." Then he withdrew from them about a stone's throw, knelt down, and prayed, "Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me; yet, not my will but yours be done." Then an angel from heaven appeared to him and gave him strength. In his anguish he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down on the ground. When he got up from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping because of grief, and he said to them, "Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray that you may not come into the time of trial." While he was still speaking, suddenly a crowd came, and the one called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He approached Jesus to kiss him; but Jesus said to him, "Judas, is it with a kiss that you are betraying the Son of Man?" When those who were around him saw what was coming, they asked, "Lord, should we strike with the sword?" Then one of them struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his right ear. But Jesus said, "No more of this!" And he touched his ear and healed him. - Luke 22:39-51
I was raised to question everything, even in our religious education classes, and I continued that practice all my life.
Questions are how we learn and grow.
I am also a writer, so I look at these stories with a writer's eye. Luke wasn't one of the twelve, so everything he wrote about was the result of interviewing others and taking copious notes.
Luke was a physician, so he would have been careful to get the story straight, which means one of the twelve must have heard what Jesus prayed.
If so, that apostle must have seen the angel appear. But Jesus found them all sleeping.
He wanted them to stay awake and pray for themselves while he prayed. So, maybe they were asleep and didn't witness his visit from the angel.
Why question what is written in the Gospels?
Why not? If we question what we read, it shows we seek to understand and believe. Have you ever encountered someone who adamantly argues against what is written in the Gospels?
We believers tend to argue with these people, call them stupid, or simply ignore them.
Did you ever think that maybe they are seeking wisdom and understanding? What if we don't dismiss them right off and ask them to explain what they believe about the story?
How many potential believers are struggling with the texts and need to have someone acknowledge their struggle?
So, maybe none of the apostles heard what Jesus said. How else could Luke have known about his prayer and the visit from the angel?
Maybe, among the many other things Jesus told them when he was resurrected, this was one question they asked.
Remember Jesus said for us it is impossible, but not for God. He was talking about being saved, but it can also apply to understanding.
When we encounter the questioning person who says they don't believe, we should invite them to talk about what they find disturbing in the Gospel.
Don't worry if you don't know the Gospels well enough to defend what is written in them. That is not our job. Our job is to share the Word with others, even if it means to sit and question along with them.
Will we gain wisdom?
Maybe, maybe not. But we will bring ourselves and someone on the fringe closer to the center.
More to come...