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.
Perhaps the lyrics to “The Garden” would be appropriate at this time as y’all have seen the garden of gethsemane. I hope to see it too someday soon. Peace,
THE GARDEN
You ask where I am going… you wonder if I’m sincere,
You don’t know how much I love you… so where do we go from here,
I’m not sure you understand… the moment is now at hand.
It is written there’d be one… a lamb from heaven sent,
And I am that Holy Lamb… but now my time with you is spent,
And yet I pray that He… might take this cup from me.
Life could have no meaning if the debt were not satisfied,
For you to see eternity, the Lamb will have to die.
I hope you understand… I wonder if you can see,
There is no other way… for you to have eternity,
So if you understand… awake and take my hand,
For I would die for you.
(Instrumental)
I hope you understand… I wonder if you can see,
There is no other way… for you to have eternity,
So if you understand… awake and take my hand,
For I would die for you.
I would die for you… I would die for you,
I’ve known right from the start… and now I must play my part,
For I would die for you… I will die for you… I will die for you.
The “pressing” of our sin on God makes me ache for Him and my part in the penalty paid in full. Now, how willing am I to sacrifice and hurt for the sake of doing His will today (and the next and then day after that)? I pray to God, Jesus Christ, that we Christians respond to Him and act on His commands at home, in our workplaces, our neighborhoods and when we’re on trips. Please LORD fill us with your Spirit to do what you want and not what we think or want. Thank you for being holy (able) and loving (willing) to make us clean. Please help us to reach out in our neighborhood this week, meet people we live near and share the real Gospel of Christ for His sake and theirs!
Enjoy the rest of your trip and thanks for helping us to experience a little more of Christ’s life by your visits and studies.
Dave, Sue, Max, Trevor and the Reec-a-nator
Oh yea, nice yamulke Pastor Pete! Very fashion-able! Is that a kosher staple? You didn’t make that on the Sabbath did you? Or buy it from a vendor in the courtyard????