March 13th
JESUS’ FINAL WEEK
Action: This garden, on the slope of the Mount of Olives, was near the brook Kidron (qadar, “to grow dark” or “to mourn”). Gethsemane means - "oil press", the place Jesus was hard pressed as he lay upon cursed ground sweating blood (hematidrosis) to win the victory over sin and its curse (Luke 22:44; Heb 5:7, Wuest).
The cup arrived. This was not the agony of his death in itself but the cup of God’s anger and judgment against sin (Isa 51:17,22; Rev 14:10). Christ voluntarily surrendered to the will of the Father.
The betrayer arrived. Jesus addressed him kindly as “friend” (Matt 26:50). When, during the Last Supper, Jesus told the disciples that his betrayer sat at the table, they didn’t turn to one another, and whisper, “Its Judas.” Jesus had given no such intimation. Indeed, it seems that Judas had sat in the seat of honour at the table.
The soldiers arrived. A word from Jesus, “I am” and hundreds of elite soldiers fell backwards to the ground like dominos in a noisy pile of shields, swords and lamps (John 18:6). Here was a Jewish renegade instructing the highly trained temple guard to let the apostles go – and they obeyed him. Jesus was majestically in charge that night.
Application: Do you yield to God’s will or do you plan your own agenda and then ask God to bless you? How do you refer to someone who treats you unjustly? Do you let fear of men intimidate you?
JESUS’ FINAL WEEK
THURSDAY – Gethsemane
THURSDAY – Gethsemane
Having entered a state of severe mental and emotional struggle to the point of agony, He was praying more earnestly. And his perspiration became like great drops of blood continually falling to the ground.
Luke 22:44, An Expanded Translation (Wuest)
Luke 22:44, An Expanded Translation (Wuest)
Action: This garden, on the slope of the Mount of Olives, was near the brook Kidron (qadar, “to grow dark” or “to mourn”). Gethsemane means - "oil press", the place Jesus was hard pressed as he lay upon cursed ground sweating blood (hematidrosis) to win the victory over sin and its curse (Luke 22:44; Heb 5:7, Wuest).
The cup arrived. This was not the agony of his death in itself but the cup of God’s anger and judgment against sin (Isa 51:17,22; Rev 14:10). Christ voluntarily surrendered to the will of the Father.
The betrayer arrived. Jesus addressed him kindly as “friend” (Matt 26:50). When, during the Last Supper, Jesus told the disciples that his betrayer sat at the table, they didn’t turn to one another, and whisper, “Its Judas.” Jesus had given no such intimation. Indeed, it seems that Judas had sat in the seat of honour at the table.
The soldiers arrived. A word from Jesus, “I am” and hundreds of elite soldiers fell backwards to the ground like dominos in a noisy pile of shields, swords and lamps (John 18:6). Here was a Jewish renegade instructing the highly trained temple guard to let the apostles go – and they obeyed him. Jesus was majestically in charge that night.
Application: Do you yield to God’s will or do you plan your own agenda and then ask God to bless you? How do you refer to someone who treats you unjustly? Do you let fear of men intimidate you?
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"Every life has its Gethsemane, and every Gethsemane has its angel" - Dr. G Morrison
"Every life has its Gethsemane, and every Gethsemane has its angel" - Dr. G Morrison
