Jesus of Gethsemane

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Text: Luke 22:39-53

We began last week by focusing on the special significance that certain places can take on specifically the places that were significant to our Lord. As we saw last week the one city that Jesus was and is most identified with is neither his birthplace nor the place of his death, but he is known as Jesus of Nazareth.
It is interesting that our Lord came from the city that the hymn says, "we saw thee not when thou didst come to this poor world of sin and death nor yet beheld thy cottage home in that despised Nazareth."

This morning I would like to speak about another place that is dear to our hearts today as it helps focus our attention on the undying sacrificial love that our Lord and Saviour had for each member of the human family.
Gethsemane.
Rarely can anyone find a word or name in the human language that does not speak to us such a sweet message to our souls. In Jesus' time the garden of Gethsemane was a beautiful spot outside of Jerusalem on the mount of Olives and even today there is supposed to be a place that legend says is the exact spot where Jesus prayed. Whether this is true or not, it is without question a place that thrills our minds to know that our Saviour found this beautiful place called Gethsemane a place to pray!

As beautiful as the scenery of Gethsemane must have been however, the scene pictured in the Bible that takes place there with reference to Christ is not exactly a thrilling scene!
Read with me Luke 22:39-53!
Through the lesson we will be looking as well at the other Gospel records of this intense scene as well, Matthew 26, Mark 14 & John 18!

What does Gethsemane bring to our attention?
What does it remind us of?
What does it teach us?
Of all the places in the world where prayers have been said, why does the garden of Gethsemane rank as one of the most significant ones?
One of the interesting comments concerning this scene is that there are basically three scenes if you can envision them in your mind:
  1. - the 8 disciples at one spot of the garden
  2. - the 3 disciples further in the garden at another spot
  3. - the Saviour outstretched and in prayer even further in the garden.
  1. Garden of retreat!
    One of the things we are informed from the Bible about this spot is that Jesus often times would come to this area. Luke 22:39, John 18:1,2!
    It's amazing that Jesus as much of a public figure as he was, many times needed breathers, times to catch his breath and times, intimate times to spend alone with his Father in prayer! Jesus needed places that could afford quiet time, places he could approach God about things, places he could go to when it seemed the world was caving in on him, just places to get away and be with God!
    We find out that in this beautiful spot outside of Jerusalem, Jesus often went there for such a time. We need to remember that when life seems to get too busy and times get complicated to take some needed time to be alone with God! It is at Gethsemane that Jesus' soul would pour out his greatest concerns to his beloved Father.
    This prayer is different however; this is one of the most intense prayer sessions anyone has ever had! We see something beautiful here:
    the obedient & submissive son!
    We see how Jesus recognized the authority of God ->
    if you are willing… (Mark 14:36)
    and we see how Jesus submitted to God ->
    Your will be done…
    What is important to see here however, is that Christ's submission in this hour of trial may be greater than we realize! Accepting God's will when you can't do anything about it is one thing, doing God's will when you don't have to is quite another! Jesus could have stopped this! Matt.26:53, John 12:27! Hebrews 5:7,8!
  2. Garden of suffering!
    As peaceful a scene Gethsemane might provide, the scene that took place there that night is anything but peaceful! We see in Gethsemane a great agony! Matthew 26:37,38- my soul is exceeding sorrowful even to death!
    This is not just rhetoric here, but his agony was that great! Luke 22:44- sweat was as it were great drops of blood!
    Why are you doing this Jesus?
    "Because mankind is lost if I don't!"
    Doesn't that just break your heart?
    Doesn't that stir you up to vow that you will accept him?
    We see in Gethsemane a great betrayal! Matthew 26:47-50!
    I wonder what Jesus looked like at this point?
    Did he have any bloodstains on him?
    Was his face and hair and clothes drenched from the agony in prayer?
    What was Judas looking at when he betrayed Jesus?
    Notice what Jesus calls him, not traitor, not treacherous, but friend! Psalms 51:9, 55:12-14! It is in Gethsemane that one of Jesus' closest friends would betray him!
    We see in Gethsemane a great arrest!
    Look what came after him? Luke 22:52,53! Matthew 26:56
  3. Garden of desertion!
    Gethsemane where Jesus took his disciples to pray, became the place where the disciples would turn their backs on him. It is here that they would turn from walking with him until his resurrection. Matthew 26:56!
    It became too hot for them to continue following Jesus. When he needed them the most, they ran!
    Could they have done anything to reverse what was going on? No.
    But they could have remained with their Lord! Jesus knew they were going to leave- Matthew 26:31. Jesus would remember that it was from the garden of Gethsemane, beautiful, beautiful Gethsemane that he would face the cross alone!
  4. Garden of comfort! Luke 22:43.
    We need to remember something here; God was with Jesus in Gethsemane. While the humanity of Jesus was agonizing with everything he had to go through, God was there answering his prayers, sympathizing with his pain, and loving his beloved Son!
    What does Gethsemane mean to you and me?
    What significance does this special place have for us?
    We realize that the God we so adore knows our pain! Hebrews 2:14-18, Hebrews 4:15,16!
    We understand from Gethsemane that God is an understanding God, He is a compassionate God and He is a soothing God! Psalms 103:13, Isaiah 63:9, Matthew 5:4!
We know something else about Gethsemane, something that Judas himself knew!
John 18:2,3- we know where to find Jesus! He is kneeling right alongside us! Matthew 28:20- Jesus has promised to be with us always! We may not be able to explain all the things that happen, and we may ask where is God?
The answer the same place He was when his Son prayed in the garden!
Sympathizing, feeling, loving and comforting!

Let me ask you my friends, what do you feel inside when you see Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane sweating drops of blood for your burden?
Do you feel the love that God has for you?
We ask, what does He want in return?
Just your faith! He wants you to trust in him now! He will see you through, if you do what He asks of you. Are you willing?
If so, Jesus says in John 8:24- unless you believe…
He also says in Luke 13:3- except ye repent….
Then again is Matt.10:32- whosoever confesses me before men….
Then in Mark 16:16- he that believes and is baptized…
finally in Rev.2:10- be thou faithful unto death and I will give….

Is there something you need to do?
If you are a Christian but perhaps your devotion to Jesus and His church has not been what it should be, perhaps you would like to rededicate yourself to the Saviour who agonized in Gethsemane because of us, why not do so, if you need the prayers of the church or if you need to privately rededicate your life, make it known as we stand and sing….

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