Scripture Reference: Matt 26: 36-41
36Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, "Sit here while I go over there and pray." 37He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38Then he said to them, "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me." 39Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will." 40Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. "Could you men not keep watch with me for one hour?" he asked Peter. 41"Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak." (NIV)
In this scripture Jesus’ agonies in Gethsemane were characterized by sorrow, suffering and submission. He was sorrowful because of the toll that sin had taken on the human race; he suffered because he accepted the guilt of all humanity; his submission to the Father’s will meant that unity of the Godhead would be temporarily disrupted. Gethsemane provided a quiet place where Jesus and His disciples could pray and meditate.
Peter, James and John, the three chosen for the more intimate view of Christ's agony, had previously enjoyed a closer proximity than the others at the raising of Jairus' daughter, and upon the mount of transfiguration. Those three disciples were best prepared to suffer with Christ, who have by faith beheld his glory. “He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with Him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled.” (Matt26:37 NIV). Gethsemane means the “olive press,” The Garden of Gethsemane included and olive grove. The association of Gethsemane with the process of crushing the olives in order to obtain the oil reflects the excruciating, agony which Jesus experienced there.
In Pastor Collins’ sermon he proclaimed that Jesus came to deal with the sin in our lives. He did not come to give us luxury but, He came to give us salvation. Strength comes from suffering or experiencing a breaking down, the more we suffer the more we lean and depend on God. Complete change is between the believer and God. Just as the olives are crushed to produce oil, when God crush us He sees something new in us.
There are many fair weather Christians, our thermometer goes from hot and fiery to cold and dark. This you can tell by our appearance. When Life is good, when we have money, when everything is good at home, we come to church smiling. Satan knows both our weaknesses and our strengths. And he often tests us in our strength to make us fall. Where we are strongest we are often over-confident and unprepared and let our guard down. Just as Peter was passionately loyal to his Master, but he was unprepared for the test that was to come. Peter declared to him, "Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away." Peter replied, "Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will." I tell you the truth," Jesus answered, "this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times."( Matthew 26:33-34 NIV)
When things are not good we take it out on God and the church. Believers should never allow circumstance to prevent us from receiving a manifestation. What do we do when there is pain in our garden? Are we too busy looking at the miracles instead of the mission? We cannot help someone in their weakness and failure until we have suffered similar trial and shame. "Because he (Jesus) himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.” (Hebrews 2:18 NIV).
God will bring you through; He will pick you up and turn you around.
Do you know Him?
Have you Tried Him?
Isn’t He alright?
Author: B Stevenson
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