IN THE GARDEN OF GETHSEMANE

SERIES: JESUS’ LAST DAYS BEFORE CRUCIFIXION.

TEXT: MATHEW 26:36–46.

 

The garden of gethsemane was at the foot of the mount olives, facing Jerusalem. Gethsemane means “oil press”. It was a favorite location that Jesus and His disciples visited often. The garden was of   olive oil production which included a grove of trees with an oil press where oil was extracted. The olive oil was used for religious services (anointing), lighting in oil lamps, cooking, healing and cleaning. The prayer our Lord made here was the final prayer before crucifixion, it was deep, heavy and traumatizing, emotionally, psychologically and spiritually. More about this prayer:-

REMOVE THIS CUP FROM ME-(Luke 22:42)

He moved away from Peter, James and John, about a stone’s throw away. He fell to the ground and prayed. He prayed to the father, “remove this cup from me” The cup that Jesus was to drink:-

• Whipping of stripes with meta thorns.
• Wearing a crown of thorns piercing into His head.
• Piercing His hands and feet with rough giant nails.
• Piercing of His ribs with a sharp sphere.
• Slapping on His face by a soldier.
• Spitting on His face and body.
• Carrying a huge cross of about 120 kg on a rough path.
• Demeaning mockery by soldiers and temple people.
• Bitter insults.
• Thirst.

• Separation from God due to our sins.
• The horrific pain the Lord would go through is beyond imagination. To us salvation is free and simple but to the Lord it was very costly, how shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation?-(Hebrews 2:3).
• There was no other way that the fallen human race could be saved. Blood had to be shed and through inexplicable pain and groaning-(Hebrews 9:22).

HE PRAYED 3 TIMES, SAYING THE SAME WORDS.

• Mathew 26:39, “My father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me, nevertheless, not as I will but as you will.”
• Mathew 26:42, Again He went away and, “My Father if this cup cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.”
• Mathew 26:44, He went away and prayed for the third time (more earnestly), saying the same words.
• This prayer was intense, exhausting, causing blood capillaries to burst, drops of blood fell from His face.

HEAVEN WAS FULLY BEHIND JESUS CHRIST

• The Father send an angel to encourage the Lord (Luke 22:43)
• The Father had earlier send Moses and Elijah to discuss His crucifixion (Mathew 17:1-3).

THE LORD YIELDED TO THE FATHER’S WILL.

• Despite His petition for the father to take away the cup of suffering, He always surrendered to the will of the father, “not my will but your will”.

THE GARDEN OF EDEN VS. GARDEN OF GETHSEMENE.

• Adam’s choice to sin brought us eternal condemnation (Romans 6:23). In Gethsemane, Christ’s decision to die for us brought us redemption.
• Adam decided to do his own will, ignored the will of God. Christ decided to surrender His will to the will of the Father.

CONCLUSION

• 1st Corinthians 15:45; The first Adam became a living being, the last Adam (Jesus) became a life-giving spirit.
• We have obtained eternal life through the suffering of Jesus.