Christians interpret the pressing of the olives as a symbol of the burden Jesus prayed over, a burden so great that He sweated BLOOD.........
Amy and I had the amazing privilege to sit in the "private" garden in deep prayer...I couldn't help but think how weak we are just like the disciples who could not keep watch for Jesus because they fell asleep......the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak......Jesus totally surrendered himself to God at this very place......This week I have been praying for three things that I desire from God.......My number one desire from God is how to surrender?.....how did Jesus completely surrender to God even when He knew what was coming? We "human spirits," that desire to follow Jesus and be faithful; fall prey to the very same weaknesses as the disciples..........we give in when there is physical fatigue......the flesh is weak....our spirits are willing indeed........
This sacred garden is not at all how I pictured it......Lovely yes, but a chill dances down my spine.....and for a moment I am back in time......and I picture 3 men sleeping away, while the King of Kings moans......ABBA......Jesus wakes them for the third time; Enough He says......rise......the hour is here;........He looks at those who are coming who believe they are taking him captive..........But He knows what they do not.........You cannot take captive one whose heart is already sold..........into a slavery of devotion so deep that no man or woman can even begin to comprehend....
I reach up, and pull an olive branch toward me, to inhale from its leaves......trying to breath in all that I can from that very scene......Amy reaches up and gently takes some olive leaves from a branch and tucks them away in the pages of her bible..........trying to carry home with us the smell of hope.......and healing..........Letting go of the branches we turn and look toward the "City of God," Jerusalem..........
Ancient olive trees in the Garden of Gethsemane, whose name means "olive oil press." (the thick trunks of these olive trees in the "private" Garden of Gethsemane show their great age.........)
A path in the "private garden" across from the traditional Garden of Gethsemane is a place of tranquility...........
Israel is an olive tree...and God is a lamp......."What use is made of olive oil? It is put into a lamp, and then the two together give light as though they were one......Hence the Holy One will say to Israel: My children, since My light is your light and your light is My light, let us go together.....you and I .......and give light to Zion: "Arise, give light, for thy light has come..."Mark 14: 32-34
32 They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” 33 He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. 34 “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death,” he said to them. “Stay here and keep watch.”
35 Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. 36 “Abba,[a] Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.”
37 Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Simon,” he said to Peter, “are you asleep? Couldn’t you keep watch for one hour? 38 Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
39 Once more he went away and prayed the same thing. 40 When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. They did not know what to say to him.
41 Returning the third time, he said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough! The hour has come. Look, the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. 42 Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!”
I will never experience the fullness of my salvation unless I learn how to completely surrender my life to the hands of Jesus.....the only way through the hard, and the emptiness in my life is to surrender......surrender it all.....
His Grace,
Robbie
