After the last supper, the NT tells us, Jesus and His disciples came to a place called "Gethsemane". There he agonized, and prayed, and there in the end, He was betrayed and arrested.
"Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” He took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee. Grief and anguish came over him, and he said to them, “The sorrow in my heart is so great that it almost crushes me. Stay here and keep watch with me.”
He went a little farther on, threw himself face downward on the ground, and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, take this cup of suffering from me! Yet not what I want, but what you want.”
Then he returned to the three disciples and found them asleep; and he said to Peter, “How is it that you three were not able to keep watch with me for even one hour? Keep watch and pray that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
Once more Jesus went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cup of suffering cannot be taken away unless I drink it, your will be done.” He returned once more and found the disciples asleep; they could not keep their eyes open.
Again Jesus left them, went away, and prayed the third time, saying the same words. Then he returned to the disciples and said, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Look! The hour has come for the Son of Man to be handed over to the power of sinners. Get up, let us go. Look, here is the man who is betraying me!”
Jesus was still speaking when Judas, one of the twelve disciples, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs and sent by the chief priests and the elders. The traitor had given the crowd a signal: “The man I kiss is the one you want. Arrest him!”
Judas went straight to Jesus and said, “Peace be with you, Teacher,” and kissed him. (Matthew 26:36-49 GNT)
Gethsemane gets its name from the Aramaic or Hebrew word for "oil press". What is interesting to me is that according to some botanists these old olive trees could be older than christianity itself.
Faith lesson...
Funny story...I left nice and early and walked to the Mt. Of Olives and when I got to the garden of Gethsemane there was not a soul anywhere to be found and I sat for a long time all by myself in quiet contemplation...only it wasn't the garden of Gethsemane...I was sitting in some guy's private garden until he came and chased me away. He was not impressed with me at all.
Eventually I found the "real" garden of Gethsemane (don't get me started on that issue). I must say I found today much more meaningful and real because this was just a quiet garden with no fancy, shiny, touristy adornments and decorations. Perhaps that is why I struggled so much yesterday because everything I saw was the exact opposite of everything Jesus was and stood for...and today in the quiet of the garden away from the glitz and glam, I saw that these ancient trees are still bearing fruit and what a powerful image that was for me.
Firstly, I see myself as that fruit. Here I am thousands of years later, the result of the passion of Christ all those years ago, I am the result of his prayers and obedience all those years ago...here I am! I am that New Fruit.
Secondly, all the people I tell about Jesus are that new fruit. Every time you and I step out in faith for God and share with the world His love for humanity...who knows what the result will, who can imagine the fruit that, that act of obedience will bear...how many generations will be changed because of my obedience today.
What fruit will your actions bear?
- Posted from my iPad
Location:ג'ורג' וושינגטון,Jerusalem,Israel
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