The full realization of what was imminent assaulted Jesus. His suffering had begun and would intensify until he died. As he had resisted the Temptations at the beginning of his Ministry so he now resisted this last and most terrible temptation to find a less dreadful way of completing his work.

The leading disciples were with Jesus but they were unable to stay awake and fell asleep, a most extraordinary contrast with their later vital leadership of the Church and the martyrdom which some of them would accept for the sake of their Lord.

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