Creating the garden of Gethsemane - 2nd day in Lent

       The garden of Gethsemane places a very important place in the life of our Lord Jesus Christ. The Word Gethsemane is found only in 2 places in the Bible. Matthew 26:36, Mark 14:32. In other places it has been mentioned as a garden. The meaning of the word Gethsemane is, ‘Wine press of oils’.

Gethsemane -across the brook:

   Here we see that Jesus went across the brook and entered into the garden where he spent time with His Father. John 18:1 When Jesus had spoken these words, he went out with his disciples across the brook Kidron, where there was a garden, which he and his disciples entered. Do we have a place to pray in our day today life, to have a close communion with the Lord? Hannah went to the temple to pour out her heart to the Lord ( I Sam 1:9-11). Daniel had a room in his upper chamber to pray (Dan 6:10). Jephthah spoke all his words before the Lord at Mizpah (Judges 11:11).

There is blessing across the river: In the life of Jacob, he crossed the river Jabbok and sent all his family across the stream and he was left alone (Gen 32:23, 24). There he saw the Lord face to face and received blessings from Him. Both Elijah and Elisha received the blessings after they crossed the river Jordan. Elisha got the double portion of the blessing (II Kings 2). Paul with his friends went outside the gate to the river side to a place of prayer and spoke to the women there, where the Lord opened the heart of Lydia and she along with her house hold were baptized (Acts 16:13-15).

Gethsemane – Wine press of oils:

                  The Lord Jesus Christ was crushed by the sins of the whole world. He was crushed for our iniquities. It was the will of the Father to crush Him. (Isaiah 53:5, 10)The oil taken from the press is being used in lamps in the temple for continual burning (Lev 6:13). The oil is used to anoint the Kings and priests. Oil is always representing the Holy Spirit. We as believers need the Holy Spirit to guide and lead us in our daily life. Paul’s experience – ‘It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.” Gal 3:20 Can we say along with Paul, not I but Christ.

Gethsemane – where drops of blood falling to the ground, He prayed:

                 Being in agony he prayed more earnestly and His sweat became like drops of blood (Luke22:44) He fell on His face and prayed (Matt26:39). What made Him to agonize that way? He carried the sins of the whole world on Him. ‘….He poured out his soul to death….and makes intercession for the transgressors (Isa 53:12). ‘In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears…” Hebrews 5:7 How is our prayer life?

Gethsemane – Jesus surrendered to the Father’s will:

                  Jesus prayed surrendering Himself to the Father’s will. God sent His only begotten Son to this earth to save the World. He loved us so much to do this. Being found in human form, Jesus humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even the death on a cross. (Phi 2:8) His prayer in the garden of Gethsemane: ‘My Father if it be possible let this cup pass from me, nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” (Matt26:39) Jesus spent time with the Father to find out His will. Once he had told His disciples that his food was to do the will of him that sent him (John 4:34). Let us commit ourselves to the Lord to obey and to do His will in our lives.

Gethsemane - Calling us to pray!

                   Jesus prayed much and wants us to pray too. Jesus was calling his close three disciples to remain and watch with him as His soul is very sorrowful, even to death (Matt 26:38). Jesus asked Peter, “Could you not watch with me for one hour?” The same question he is asking us to day to share His heart’ burden. The Holy Spirit helps us to pray. ‘The Holy spirit helps us in our weakness, for we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groaning too deep for words.’ (Romans 8:26) Do have prayer partners to pray with. When we pray with one accord, the Lord is there and answers our prayers. It will strengthen our spiritual life. 

May the Lord help us to grow in Him by spending time with Him?

Memory Verse:          
            Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”-Matthew 26:41


                                                                                             Shared by: Sis.Annal,San Antonio, TX
                                                                                                                02-19-2015