By Pastor Bobby Blakey
Israel Day 6
The Garden of Gethsemane
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Today we spent some time in the Garden of Gethsemane. This was an emotional and moving stop for many of us. Gethsemane means oil press. It is known for its olive trees. This is the place where olives were squeezed to produce the oil. In this same way our Lord Jesus Christ was pressed in this garden. He was overwhelmed with sorrow for what He was about to do in bearing our sin. He was so agonized that he sweats drops of blood. Yet look at what He prays to our Heavenly Father:
Matthew 26:39 - Going 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.”
We were challenged if this is the way that we pray. Do we ask God for the things that we want and then get frustrated when we don’t get them? Or are we willing to sacrifice and hurt for the sake of doing His will? Jesus had already taught His disciples to pray that God’s will be done. Now He gives all of us the perfect example. He was willing to be pressed and squeezed so that God’s will could be completed.
In the garden we all took some time to pray that God’s will and not ours would be done. Many of us came away with teary eyes and strengthened resolve. I encourage everyone reading this to take some time and pray to our Heavenly Father in this same way. Let him know that you are willing to do whatever He asks of you, even if He requires the shedding of blood as our Lord did for us.
View more photos in the Israel 2008 photo gallery.
