Did this fear arise from the evil suggestion that he was utterly forsaken? Surely, being completely abandoned is one of the worst trials. "Look," said Satan, "you have no friends! Your Father has closed His heart of compassion against you.

No angel will lift a finger to help you. Heaven has turned away, leaving you alone. See those friends with whom you shared sweet counsel. How valuable are they now? Son of Mary, there is your brother James, your beloved disciple John, and bold Peter. See how they sleep while you suffer!

You have no friend left in heaven or earth. All hell is against you. I've stirred up my domain and called every prince of darkness to attack you tonight. We won't spare any arrows. We'll unleash our might to overwhelm you. What will you do, alone?" This may have been the temptation. We think so, because an angel appeared to strengthen him, removing that fear. He was no longer alone; heaven was with him. Perhaps this is why he returned to his disciples three times. He wanted to see if it was true that all had forsaken him. He found them asleep, but maybe gained faint comfort knowing they were sleeping from sorrow, not betrayal. The spirit was willing, but the flesh was weak. In his deepest trouble, Jesus was heard. My heart, you will be heard too.