1. Survey: 85% of Americans say they pray – some a lot, some little. In fact, 20% of self-proclaimed atheists and agnostics claim to pray. There is a source of strength in prayer. We want to take a look at the key place of prayer for Jesus, Gethsemane.
2. An Overview to Gethsemane
a. Jesus and disciples at “Last Supper” [Da Vinci picture vs. triclinium table
b. Great teaching – washing feet/ John 13:34-35
34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
c. Leave singing – Matthew 26:30 30 And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. Likely the Hallal (Psalms 113-118)
d. Temple Mount –
• Lesson on vine and branches (John 15)
• High Priestly Prayer – John 17; especially 17:22-23
22 The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, 23 I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.
e. Across the Kidron Valley to Gethsemane
3. We have a tendency to rush past Gethsemane to get to the cross and resurrection; Let’s slow down and observe Gethsemane
a. “Olive Press”
b. Luke 22:44 44 And being in agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.
4. Matthew 26:36-46
I. Gethsemane Was a Place Where Jesus Met God ALONE
A. The “Usual” Place – Luke 22:39
B. The “Night of Watching” from Exodus 14 – Matthew 26.36-38
36 Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I go over there and pray.” 37 And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38 Then he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me.”
C. The Place for Support in Sorrow and Stress (v. 38 My soul is very sorrowful, even to death)
1. 8 disciples and 3 disciples
2. The angel – Luke 22:43
3. Ultimate support from His Father
D. The Private Place – as Exodus 24:1-2
Then he said to Moses, “Come up to the LORD, you and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel, and worship from afar. 2 Moses alone shall come near to the LORD, but the others shall not come near, and the people shall not come up with him.”
II. Gethsemane Was a Place Where Jesus Renewed His Commitment Through Prayer
A. He Confidently Addressed the Father – Mark 14:36 – “Abba Father”
1. Intimate
2. Yet respectful – Matthew 26:39 39 And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.”
3. We – Hebrews 4:16 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
B. He Made Earnest Petitions
He knew crucifixion. As a young man in Nazareth, he had seen 2000 Zealots crucified on the road to Sepphoris
1. Based on His understanding of God’s ability – Mark 14:36 36 And he said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.”
2. Based on the Established Way
a. John 14:6
b. The alternative – Matthew 4:8-10
3. Remove Cup? What Cup – Jeremiah 25:15
15 Thus the LORD, the God of Israel, said to me: “Take from my hand this cup of the wine of wrath, and make all the nations to whom I send you drink it.
C. He Gained Intense Submission
1. No bargaining – “Not my will, your will” [I try to spin God’s glory for getting my way]
2. Here is the Victory – determined to do God’s will
3. He overcame temptations – Hebrews 4:15
D. He Dealt with His Agony
1. [Struggle for Victory – Rocky movies
2. Stress and Strain – sweat drops as of blood (Luke 22:44)
1. To get to the cross Jesus had to go by way of Gethsemane – a key step in Victory
2. You and I have a Gethsemane where:
a. Prayers aren’t always answered like we want them to be
b. The closest to us can’t always help us
1) Some pray for us, grow weary, and give up
2) Some don’t understand our agony and we struggle alone
c. God knows and understands – Hebrews 4:14-16
14 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
3. We feel the full weight of God’s will and learn to obey as Jesus did.
In a battle a general rode up to an artilleryman standing by his gun. He took out his binoculars and pointed out a house. He told the artilleryman to fire on that house because a great number of enemy was within its walls. The gunner turned pale, sighted his gun and fired, destroying the house. The general congratulated the gunner but noticed a tear in his eye. He inquired and the gunner said, “That was my home. It was all I had in the world.” Obedience without question – not easy for us.
G.K. Chesterton wrote: “The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting. It has been found difficult and left untried.”
4. We have a choice – God’s way or our way – Proverbs 14:12
12 There is a way that seems right to a man,
but its end is the way to death.
