Look What We Found In The Garden

Introduction

· I want to take a stroll into a garden like no other, this garden I speak about today is one found just outside Jerusalem, the Garden of Gethsemane.

· Gethsemane means, “oil press”. It was a place where they harvest the olives from the trees, press and crush them to remove the oil.

· This is significant because Jesus was about to be crushed and pressed, so the oil of salvation could flow freely to the world.

· The garden is where Jesus surrendered to go to the cross, to do the will of the Father. It was there that the decision was made and where the victory of the cross was actually won!

· As we get into the Word this morning, let us look at what we find in the garden.

(NKJV) Matthew 26 36 Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to the disciples, “Sit here while I go and pray over there.” 37 And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and He began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed. 38 Then He said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me.”

39 He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.” 40 Then He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “What! Could you not watch with Me one hour? 41 Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 42 Again, a second time, He went away and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if this cup cannot pass away from Me unless I drink it, Your will be done.” 43 And He came and found them asleep again, for their eyes were heavy. 44 So He left them, went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words. 45 Then He came to His disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46 Rise, let us be going. See, My betrayer is at hand.” 47 And while He was still speaking, behold, Judas, one of the twelve, with a great multitude with swords and clubs, came from the chief priests and elders of the people. 48 Now His betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “Whomever I kiss, He is the One; seize Him.” 49 Immediately he went up to Jesus and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed Him. 50 But Jesus said to him, “Friend, why have you come?” Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and took Him. 51 And suddenly, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword, struck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear. 52 But Jesus said to him, “Put your sword in its place, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword. 53 Or do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels? 54 How then could the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must happen thus?” 55 In that hour Jesus said to the multitudes, “Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs to take Me? I sat daily with you, teaching in the temple, and you did not seize Me. 56 But all this was done that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples forsook Him and fled.

1. The Garden of Gethsemane was a place of great decisions and unspeakable sorrow.

a. Jesus made a decision to bring the disciples to the Garden.

i. He only chose three to go with Him to pray & stay with Him (Peter, James & John the Sons of Thunder.)

b. What did Jesus experience in the garden?

· Every emotional attack possible.

o Kneeling there He placed His palms of sorrow over His face as He sweat great drops of blood!

o Unbelief of people calling Him liar and blasphemer.

o Rejection of people (that He loved…He came unto His own…)

o Hatred of religious leaders of that day.

o Betrayal of Judas Iscariot.

o Desertion by all the disciples.

o Denial of one of His own (Predicted Peter’s denial).

o Ridiculed, spit upon, stripped naked.

· Great physical suffering.

o The beating and scourging He would endure by the whips.

o The thorns in His head.

o Knowing the rugged cross awaited Him.

o Looking down at His hands, knowing in advance the spikes, which will be driven thru them.